It was getting REALLY long, and I'm pretty sure most of my ends were split in thirds. I was tired of spending five minutes in the shower just rinsing the shampoo out, and now that it's gotten colder, I was definitely not loving that if I wanted to blow-dry it, I had to make sure I had an hour to spare.
So, I got off work a bit early yesterday and just popped in the salon to see if someone could squeeze me in. I didn't even think twice when I sat down and told the lady I wanted six inches cut. I thought that would leave it long enough that I could still put it in a ponytail, all the dead ends would be taken care of, and all the layers that had grown out weirdly would be gone. I didn't ask for anything other than face-framing layers to be put back in. It looked decent. It was for sure shorter, but my hair looked healthy again.
Well, yesterday my hair was straight. Today, I let it curl after washing it, and now it's a shapeless mass that hits right below my shoulders- a drastic difference from my mid-back. Okay, shapeless mass may be an exaggeration. It really isn't that bad. I think I'm just in shock. My new, short-haired self saw my reflection and forgot about all those good reasons I had to get it cut in the first place and wanted long locks cascading over my shoulders (not that it did that before I cut it anyway, but short-haired self also must be living with some delusions.)
Anyway, all this is just me saying I miss my long hair. I've reassured myself, though, that because of my super hair-growing abilities, it'll probably be the length it was before I had it cut in about oh... two or three months. I still think I may go back and have layers put back in.
SDG
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Creative Outlet Part 2
It took some time before the girl was okay with her disfigured soul. Though she was no longer empty, the memory of the pain was often just as intense as the initial wound. With the realization that she would never be the girl she was before she met the boy, she thought now was as good a time as any to call him back.
She called out, weakly at first. It had been so long, after all.
No response.
She called again, loudly this time, knowing that the boy would hear her.
Still, silence.
A third time she called, more forcefully, and finally heard the boy's voice in reply. However, he wasn't saying what she thought she would hear. Instead of acknowledging the promise he made to return, he was asking for more silence from her. During all this time apart, the boy had been wrestling with his own wounds. He too was scarred from hurting the girl. He never imagined that anyone, most of all this beautiful girl, wanted to be near him, let alone allow him to be a part of herself. Images of her sad eyes, the memory of the pain in her voice haunted him, burrowing themselves deep into his soul, opening old scars. It was hard enough on him to deal with these things without her, but working them out while she sat expectantly in his shadows would be too much.
This time he didn't apologize for his actions. The girl was furious. He did this to both of them, and now he was asking the broken girl to bear this burden alone for who knows how long, after he promised to come back when she was ready. She cried and told him he was being ridiculous to try and fix his soul alone, but he gave nothing in response, and she let him drift away again.
Later, the girl realized that even though the boy wanted to heal his scars alone, she shouldn't worsen his load by adding the stress of her own brokenness. She would be okay, never the same or as happy as before, but okay. She knew the boy would need help, so she prayed to their Keeper again, asking Him to draw the boy close and soothe his wounded soul. She sent out a message for the boy. It said she was sorry for trying to bring him back when he wasn't ready. She, of all people, should realize that scarred souls are delicate things. She told him that when he was finally ready, she would be the one waiting this time.
*Read Part 1 here.
She called out, weakly at first. It had been so long, after all.
No response.
She called again, loudly this time, knowing that the boy would hear her.
Still, silence.
A third time she called, more forcefully, and finally heard the boy's voice in reply. However, he wasn't saying what she thought she would hear. Instead of acknowledging the promise he made to return, he was asking for more silence from her. During all this time apart, the boy had been wrestling with his own wounds. He too was scarred from hurting the girl. He never imagined that anyone, most of all this beautiful girl, wanted to be near him, let alone allow him to be a part of herself. Images of her sad eyes, the memory of the pain in her voice haunted him, burrowing themselves deep into his soul, opening old scars. It was hard enough on him to deal with these things without her, but working them out while she sat expectantly in his shadows would be too much.
This time he didn't apologize for his actions. The girl was furious. He did this to both of them, and now he was asking the broken girl to bear this burden alone for who knows how long, after he promised to come back when she was ready. She cried and told him he was being ridiculous to try and fix his soul alone, but he gave nothing in response, and she let him drift away again.
Later, the girl realized that even though the boy wanted to heal his scars alone, she shouldn't worsen his load by adding the stress of her own brokenness. She would be okay, never the same or as happy as before, but okay. She knew the boy would need help, so she prayed to their Keeper again, asking Him to draw the boy close and soothe his wounded soul. She sent out a message for the boy. It said she was sorry for trying to bring him back when he wasn't ready. She, of all people, should realize that scarred souls are delicate things. She told him that when he was finally ready, she would be the one waiting this time.
*Read Part 1 here.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Updates
I'm officially accepted to Southern Miss.
I have a new apartment.
I'm moving January 7th.
I've taken out my first student loan in my entire college career, ever.
I'm looking into seminaries for when I graduate.
So much is falling into place, but there's still a lot to do. Like:
Packing up all my stuff (Eeek!),
Finding a job,
Actually signing up for classes (the school is closed for the holidays),
and finding a couch I can afford, the main piece of furniture I don't have.
Oh, I'm so excited! A little daunted, yes, and freaking out a bit, yes, but mostly excited!
SDG
I have a new apartment.
I'm moving January 7th.
I've taken out my first student loan in my entire college career, ever.
I'm looking into seminaries for when I graduate.
So much is falling into place, but there's still a lot to do. Like:
Packing up all my stuff (Eeek!),
Finding a job,
Actually signing up for classes (the school is closed for the holidays),
and finding a couch I can afford, the main piece of furniture I don't have.
Oh, I'm so excited! A little daunted, yes, and freaking out a bit, yes, but mostly excited!
SDG
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Life Lesson of the Fall
Don't make plans-- unless, of course, your definition of a plan is a general idea of a vague objective of which you hope to accomplish with anything that may or may not come close to previously stated general idea.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Today was lovely.
Truly lovely.
It started out with me waking up to snow.
Snow!
In Mississippi!
In December!
I love, love, love cold weather, so just seeing it this morning was exciting, but having it last nearly all day was amazing. In all my excitement, though, I didn't get a picture. I was too busy enjoying it in real life.
The sermon this morning was great. We serve a God who keeps His promises, and it would do me well to remember that.
Starbucks time was great. I got to read my Bible, catch up on Spurgeon devotionals, sip green tea, and watch the snow through the window gently drift through the air.
Afterward, I went to my family's annual cookie bake. All the girls (and kids) get together and make delicious desserts to take home or give to friends or take to work.
It was good. I needed today. I hope this is an indication of more good days to come.
SDG
It started out with me waking up to snow.
Snow!
In Mississippi!
In December!
I love, love, love cold weather, so just seeing it this morning was exciting, but having it last nearly all day was amazing. In all my excitement, though, I didn't get a picture. I was too busy enjoying it in real life.
The sermon this morning was great. We serve a God who keeps His promises, and it would do me well to remember that.
Starbucks time was great. I got to read my Bible, catch up on Spurgeon devotionals, sip green tea, and watch the snow through the window gently drift through the air.
Afterward, I went to my family's annual cookie bake. All the girls (and kids) get together and make delicious desserts to take home or give to friends or take to work.
It was good. I needed today. I hope this is an indication of more good days to come.
SDG
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Creative Outlet Part 1
There once was a girl who fell in love, even though she thought she never would. She fell in love and let a boy into her very soul. He fit so nicely there, after all, and because he did fit so nicely, she thought that's where he was meant to stay.
At first the boy recognized the warmness and pleasantness of the girl's soul and snuggled in, pulling it around him and making it more like his. The girl loved this and let him do it.
However, the boy didn't stay long. He looked around and thought the girl's soul was too nice of a place for him to be. He didn't want to mess it up, so he left quickly, leaving her soul empty, disheveled, and torn.
This new emptiness, this place she didn't even know she had, ached terribly. She called after the boy. She told him he should at least return for a bit and straighten up. He tried, but the rearranging only felt worse. She still had the memory of the perfect fit, and anything else paled in comparison.
So he left again, because the boy didn't want to hurt the girl any more. He told her that with time her soul would heal itself. She begged him to stay, but he refused. She told him that her soul wasn't that nice to begin with and if he came back, not to worry about messing it up a bit. He still said no, and to ensure that her soul healed properly, he wouldn't come back for a while. He said when her soul had finally healed, he would come visit and make a new, less permanent space, like they tried to fix before.
She waited and waited for her soul to heal. She prayed to it's Keeper to take it and fill up the hole, but the Keeper told her that a soul often needs holes to work properly and to be patient. After a while, a scab formed. It was itchy and uncomfortable, but it felt less empty. The scab eventually started to heal, and the girl thought that her soul could finally be well again, but as the last bit turned into new flesh, she found that what had actually formed was a boy-shaped scar. Disheartened, she realized the boy was wrong. Her soul would never be like before he found it.
At first the boy recognized the warmness and pleasantness of the girl's soul and snuggled in, pulling it around him and making it more like his. The girl loved this and let him do it.
However, the boy didn't stay long. He looked around and thought the girl's soul was too nice of a place for him to be. He didn't want to mess it up, so he left quickly, leaving her soul empty, disheveled, and torn.
This new emptiness, this place she didn't even know she had, ached terribly. She called after the boy. She told him he should at least return for a bit and straighten up. He tried, but the rearranging only felt worse. She still had the memory of the perfect fit, and anything else paled in comparison.
So he left again, because the boy didn't want to hurt the girl any more. He told her that with time her soul would heal itself. She begged him to stay, but he refused. She told him that her soul wasn't that nice to begin with and if he came back, not to worry about messing it up a bit. He still said no, and to ensure that her soul healed properly, he wouldn't come back for a while. He said when her soul had finally healed, he would come visit and make a new, less permanent space, like they tried to fix before.
She waited and waited for her soul to heal. She prayed to it's Keeper to take it and fill up the hole, but the Keeper told her that a soul often needs holes to work properly and to be patient. After a while, a scab formed. It was itchy and uncomfortable, but it felt less empty. The scab eventually started to heal, and the girl thought that her soul could finally be well again, but as the last bit turned into new flesh, she found that what had actually formed was a boy-shaped scar. Disheartened, she realized the boy was wrong. Her soul would never be like before he found it.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Let's Go Back to the Start
I wish I could go back to May, when I had the whole summer to look forward to, a summer full of promise.
I want that state of mind back. I want back the faith I had then. It seems I lost my way somehow between hopeful May, the excitement of early June, the devastation of late June and early July, and then the bliss that ensued until the beginning of August. I want to be that happy and carefree.
August and September seem a blur of confusion and trying to grasp on to whatever I could. October was miserable, and November wasn't that much better.
Now it's December. I'm a mess. I can't see the light at the end of the tunnel. Everything's black, but sometimes I can catch a whiff of fresh, cool air, so I guess I'm headed the right direction. I can't help but think it's not over, and I'm waiting on whatever it is that I need to move on.
God, You've been there for me when I needed You most. I'm clinging to Your promises, calling on Your name. Please, don't let this be the end. I only want to do Your will, Lord. Give me the faith, the courage, and the strength I need to do that. Lead me on Your paths. Use me how You will. Change my heart. I pray these things in Christ's name, in whom I have the privilege to sit at Your mercy seat. Amen.
SDG
I want that state of mind back. I want back the faith I had then. It seems I lost my way somehow between hopeful May, the excitement of early June, the devastation of late June and early July, and then the bliss that ensued until the beginning of August. I want to be that happy and carefree.
August and September seem a blur of confusion and trying to grasp on to whatever I could. October was miserable, and November wasn't that much better.
Now it's December. I'm a mess. I can't see the light at the end of the tunnel. Everything's black, but sometimes I can catch a whiff of fresh, cool air, so I guess I'm headed the right direction. I can't help but think it's not over, and I'm waiting on whatever it is that I need to move on.
God, You've been there for me when I needed You most. I'm clinging to Your promises, calling on Your name. Please, don't let this be the end. I only want to do Your will, Lord. Give me the faith, the courage, and the strength I need to do that. Lead me on Your paths. Use me how You will. Change my heart. I pray these things in Christ's name, in whom I have the privilege to sit at Your mercy seat. Amen.
SDG
Friday, December 3, 2010
Merry Christmas to Me!
The pretties I ordered from Old Navy the other day finally arrived! I got all five of these pieces for about $50. Not bad at'tall, I'd say. Yea for sales! I'm most excited about that brown skirt. I plan on pairing it with with that light blue shirt, gray tights, and my new tan boots. Lovely!
SDG
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Confession
While I'm sure you find this interesting, it's not what I wanted to confess. I'm currently in one of my marathon viewings, and finished the second disc to The Return of the King last night. Though I love these movies dearly, there's a whole section of the film I've never seen, nor do I want to see. Two words: Shelob and arachnophobia. Yes, I'm deathly afraid of spiders, they are creepy and move weird and have too many legs; therefore whenever Frodo goes into the cave, I cover my face, leaving enough space to view a corner of the TV so I know when all's safe again.
Yes, I'm weird.
SDG
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Things I'm into as of late.
- J. Crew - While I can't afford any of it, I love looking at the website and fantasizing.
- Pearl Jam and other 90's Grunge Rock - It's now my favorite Pandora station (that I like to listen to while looking and the J. Crew website, oddly enough). I'm also revisiting Soundgarden, Temple Of The Dog, and Collective Soul.
- College and pro football - I've always enjoyed football, but now I've found myself planning my days around games and recognizing plays and seeing penalties before they're called.
- Knitting - Which I like to do while watching football. I know, I'm full of contradictions.
- Hummus - I tried some roasted red pepper hummus a month ago, and I'm basically addicted. It's so delicious, especially with pita chips
- The Fox TV show Raising Hope - I've only caught a handful of episodes (the pilot and the last 3 or 4), but it is hilarious! Almost my favorite series right now, besides HIMYM.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
I'm taking up knitting
I figured I needed to learn something practical to keep myself busy, so yesterday I checked out two books from the library and went by Hobby Lobby to pick out yarn and get knitting needles. So far, I've learned to cast on, and my first feat, hopefully, will be a scarf. If it turns out well, I plan on knitting a bunch of them as Christmas gifts. We shall see. My next practical/domestic endeavor I think shall be quilting.
Completely unrelated to knitting, I'm headed to Hattiesburg tomorrow to scope out apartments. I'm getting a bit excited about moving and doing things on my own for a while. It even felt neat booking the hotel. That was a grown-up experience I hadn't had before. I will also get to check into the hotel by myself for the first time tomorrow afternoon. Gah! I'm so old!
Oh, also, it looks like I'll be doing a bit more voice recording work, this time for PowerPoint slides. This is really such a blessing since funds were going to be a tad tight for buying grad school supplies, i.e. a MacBook. I'm excited to do work related to my major again, too. Thus, lots of new and exciting things happening in my life right now. May I be brave enough to face them all.
SDG
Completely unrelated to knitting, I'm headed to Hattiesburg tomorrow to scope out apartments. I'm getting a bit excited about moving and doing things on my own for a while. It even felt neat booking the hotel. That was a grown-up experience I hadn't had before. I will also get to check into the hotel by myself for the first time tomorrow afternoon. Gah! I'm so old!
Oh, also, it looks like I'll be doing a bit more voice recording work, this time for PowerPoint slides. This is really such a blessing since funds were going to be a tad tight for buying grad school supplies, i.e. a MacBook. I'm excited to do work related to my major again, too. Thus, lots of new and exciting things happening in my life right now. May I be brave enough to face them all.
SDG
Monday, November 15, 2010
Ashley's Birthday Weekend
One of my best friends turned 23 last Friday, so I planned a small adventure to commemorate the occasion. It involved four cities in three days. The weekend went like this.
Friday: Ashley drives from Amory to Tupelo, we suit up, and go out to celebrate her day of birth, then come back to my house and watch HIMYM until we pass out.
Saturday: Leave early for Birmingham from Tupelo to meet another friend and go shopping at the Galleria Mall, then drive back to Amory.
Sunday: Go to church in Amory, leave for Memphis for Iron & Wine concert! Drive back to Tupelo. Ashley drives back to Amory, ending epic birthday weekend.
All in all, it was a success! Friday evening was chill and we got to catch up. Saturday, made a new friend and bought some jeans for $18. Sunday, went to an awesome concert, stood on the front row, and got winked at by Sam Beam. May all of Ashley's birthdays be as great!
SDG
Friday: Ashley drives from Amory to Tupelo, we suit up, and go out to celebrate her day of birth, then come back to my house and watch HIMYM until we pass out.
SDG
Thursday, November 11, 2010
My Morning
I decided to go outside this morning to finish my coffee and enjoy some Spurgeon insight into Deuteronomy. My was it pretty! I went back inside to get my camera. Here's a little peak into my morning in a series of pictures. Enjoy.
SDG
It's funny how God uses this little devotional book in my life.
SDG
I sat down on the concrete, cozy in my new TN Football sweatshirt, leggings, and Toms
It's funny how God uses this little devotional book in my life.Each entry seems to speak exactly what I need to hear.
The leaves were so bright
My cat had to come see what I was doing
Then my dog got jealous of the attention I was giving the cat and had to come check it out too
It could not have been prettier
Sorry if y'all are tired of my pictures of leaves, but this is just gorgeous
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Nashville!
My weekend was epic. Why do I say this? Well, I went to Nashville with my good friend Lauren to visit her boyfriend, Travis. We spent Friday walking around Green Hills Mall, and lo and behold! We found an entrance to Narnia.
Not to worry, we didn't stay long, nor get caught up in battle. We had to be home for dinner by six and also had to make a trip to Goodwill (where we would actually buy things). I found these lovely items, plus a navy Vols sweatshirt that Lauren purchased. Sweatshirt: $5. Purse: $.79. Score!
Saturday morning, after a filling breakfast at Loveless, Lauren and I were stars of a 1960's short film called Frolicking by the Trace. Okay, I may have made that part up then edited the pictures that way simply because they look cool, but you'll never know for sure.
The rest of the day was spent lounging around watching football and taking naps. We left for home early this morning so Lauren could get a head start on her week. I've been home for a while and am looking forward to a full night's sleep in my own bed. Also, I already have plans for Birmingham next weekend. Lots to look forward to, but must rest in the meantime.
SDG
Saturday morning, after a filling breakfast at Loveless, Lauren and I were stars of a 1960's short film called Frolicking by the Trace. Okay, I may have made that part up then edited the pictures that way simply because they look cool, but you'll never know for sure.
The rest of the day was spent lounging around watching football and taking naps. We left for home early this morning so Lauren could get a head start on her week. I've been home for a while and am looking forward to a full night's sleep in my own bed. Also, I already have plans for Birmingham next weekend. Lots to look forward to, but must rest in the meantime.
SDG
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Knot A Ponytail
I just ran across this photo on one of the blogs I like to peruse (My Style Pill). I absolutely love this look. It's so effortlessly cool. Apparently to do it, you divide your hair into two sections, then tie the sections together in a double-knot. I promptly tried it on myself. It works, but my hair is too thick and heavy, so it falls down fairly easily. Therefore, it wouldn't be very practical. However, if you ever find yourself in a pinch sans elastic bands or bobby pins, this knot would come in handy.
SDG
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Working Girl No More... For Now
Well, blog world, today signified the end of the project I had been working on. I hope maintenance and reliability workers in the area who are becoming certified enjoy listening to my voice for years to come. I liked my taste of having a big-girl job, and I feel like God has revealed a few things to me through this experience:
SDG
- My organizational skills are highly apparent to others and appreciated
- I know the 9-5, 5-day week office environment is not for me
- I want to do something that allows me to work mostly from home
- I do want to try a career outside of teaching after getting my Master's
- I'm going to miss Tupelo next year
SDG
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Happy Reformation Day!
It's Reformation Sunday! And how did my friends and I celebrate? We went to the lake and grilled this deliciousness:
Steak, baby portebella mushrooms smothered with butter and garlic, and asparagus coated with a savory layer of extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper. In the words of Nick Andopolis of Freaks and Geeks, "It's like you cooked it in heaven and brought it back down for us to eat."
The weather was perfect. People threw the frisbee and chilled in hammocks. We also carved pumpkins in honor of that other holiday that also falls on October 31.
To top off this magnificent Sunday, I'm now sipping coffee while a friend and I plan a trip to Nashville this weekend. Such a wonderful Lord's Day.
SDG
Steak, baby portebella mushrooms smothered with butter and garlic, and asparagus coated with a savory layer of extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper. In the words of Nick Andopolis of Freaks and Geeks, "It's like you cooked it in heaven and brought it back down for us to eat."
The weather was perfect. People threw the frisbee and chilled in hammocks. We also carved pumpkins in honor of that other holiday that also falls on October 31.
To top off this magnificent Sunday, I'm now sipping coffee while a friend and I plan a trip to Nashville this weekend. Such a wonderful Lord's Day.
SDG
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Who Needs an Office?
(I'm taking a break from converting questions from tests into easy to remember statements to record later this the week in order to blog. Don't tell my boss.)
I don't care what work you are doing, this view, plus coffee and Folk Rock (mainly The Avett Bros, Jose Gonzalez, and Band of Horses) makes it so much more enjoyable. If I could find a way to work mostly from home the rest of my life, I would be a happy girl.
SDG
I don't care what work you are doing, this view, plus coffee and Folk Rock (mainly The Avett Bros, Jose Gonzalez, and Band of Horses) makes it so much more enjoyable. If I could find a way to work mostly from home the rest of my life, I would be a happy girl.
SDG
Monday, October 25, 2010
Life Goals
I'm in the middle of a complete life over-haul. After much prayer and some unfortunate series of events, school is where I'm headed as of now. Sometimes I feel lost as to what God wants for my life and as to what my own ambitions are. I even tried to compile a list of goals a few weeks ago, but nothing really came to mind. Today I was free of nanny duties so I've spent the afternoon working on graduate school admissions things, when all of a sudden an ambition came to mind! Before I let it slip away, I thought it best to record it somewhere and as I did, a few others popped up:
Life Goal #3) Obtain a graduate degree
Life Goal #4) Write a Christian novel
Life Goal #5) Write a song
Numbers one and two I'm praying about and don't feel like disclosing. I'm working on three right now, and hopefully after it's accomplished I can begin number four. Number five, well, I've got endless clips of piano and guitar musings I've composed and several lyrics, but I can never get any of them to fit together in a way I like. It's a work in progress... much like my life.
SDG
Life Goal #3) Obtain a graduate degree
Life Goal #4) Write a Christian novel
Life Goal #5) Write a song
Numbers one and two I'm praying about and don't feel like disclosing. I'm working on three right now, and hopefully after it's accomplished I can begin number four. Number five, well, I've got endless clips of piano and guitar musings I've composed and several lyrics, but I can never get any of them to fit together in a way I like. It's a work in progress... much like my life.
SDG
Thursday, October 14, 2010
New Artist: Stephen Gordon
Two weekends ago, Ashley McMillen and I were in Starkville for the weekend. We needed to kill some time after dinner on Friday night, so being the hipsters that we are, we stopped by a local coffee shop since I heard there was going to be some live music. Normally such performances are decent. You go in, sip your coffee and carry on a conversations while neat music plays in the background. This night, though, was so superior.
We got in just after the first performance, so we only heard a song or two by Drew Gatlin, but it was still very good. The highlight of the night, though, was Nashville Americana/Folk artist Stephen Gordon.
As soon as I heard the first few strums on the acoustic guitar, I was smitten. His voice was so clear and you could hear the emotion behind each song. It was as if the guitar and Stephen were inviting you to go on a musical journey through a grove of autumn trees as afternoon sunlight streams through the leaves and a light breeze plays with the shadows. Not being a well-known artist in our area, he knew exactly how to keep the audience's attention with stories about the songs, and even requesting an audience sing-a-long for "Bones," which after buying his albums, I Have Seen Your Shining Spirit and VA, remains my favorite song.
To give you a little insight into his sound, it's like someone took Chris Martin's voice (more toward Parachutes than the other albums) with a little Micheal Buble, mixed in some acoustic guitar plucking from Iron & Wine, and added just a touch of Blue Grass (think Avett Brothers and a little Fleet Foxes). Also, some of the tracks remind me slightly of The Fray, especially "Hearts Break Easier."
Check him out on MySpace. You won't regret it.
We got in just after the first performance, so we only heard a song or two by Drew Gatlin, but it was still very good. The highlight of the night, though, was Nashville Americana/Folk artist Stephen Gordon.
As soon as I heard the first few strums on the acoustic guitar, I was smitten. His voice was so clear and you could hear the emotion behind each song. It was as if the guitar and Stephen were inviting you to go on a musical journey through a grove of autumn trees as afternoon sunlight streams through the leaves and a light breeze plays with the shadows. Not being a well-known artist in our area, he knew exactly how to keep the audience's attention with stories about the songs, and even requesting an audience sing-a-long for "Bones," which after buying his albums, I Have Seen Your Shining Spirit and VA, remains my favorite song.
To give you a little insight into his sound, it's like someone took Chris Martin's voice (more toward Parachutes than the other albums) with a little Micheal Buble, mixed in some acoustic guitar plucking from Iron & Wine, and added just a touch of Blue Grass (think Avett Brothers and a little Fleet Foxes). Also, some of the tracks remind me slightly of The Fray, especially "Hearts Break Easier."
Check him out on MySpace. You won't regret it.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
My Kind of Morning
This week I started doing some part-time work in the mornings before I go to my nanny gig in the afternoons. I'm doing some work for the company my dad works for. In a nutshell, I sit in an empty office and read aloud tests and some paragraphs from a book while it's being recorded.
Because I'm now doing this work, I have to get up before ten. This morning, it was worth it. It was the perfect fall morning, and I only regret that I didn't wake up to it from a tent. The air was cool. A thick fog had settled in, and it seemed to only enhance the gold, burnt orange, and red leaves that had already begun to turn. I really wished I had given myself more time to get ready this morning so I could have snapped some pictures with my fancy camera. All I had the opportunity to do was hastily take a few shots driving to work.
These pictures don't do justice to the lovely, lovely weather, but I at least wanted to try to capture God's glorious work this morning.
SDG
Because I'm now doing this work, I have to get up before ten. This morning, it was worth it. It was the perfect fall morning, and I only regret that I didn't wake up to it from a tent. The air was cool. A thick fog had settled in, and it seemed to only enhance the gold, burnt orange, and red leaves that had already begun to turn. I really wished I had given myself more time to get ready this morning so I could have snapped some pictures with my fancy camera. All I had the opportunity to do was hastily take a few shots driving to work.
These pictures don't do justice to the lovely, lovely weather, but I at least wanted to try to capture God's glorious work this morning.
SDG
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Leggings as Pants!?
I'm wearing leggings as pants today. I know what you're thinking. "Oh, no. Don't be that girl." I was thinking the same thing, but I was really wanting to be comfortable today, and I think I've made it work. Also, basically the only people who will be seeing me today are a 6, 8, and 10 year old.
What do you think? Yes? No?
What do you think? Yes? No?
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Reason #32 to look forward to marriage:
Always having someone around to kill scary bugs.
I took this from a recent post on one of my favorite blogs withoutmelissa.com.
That's the kind of man I want.
I took this from a recent post on one of my favorite blogs withoutmelissa.com.
At one point, I was cooking dinner, chatting up a storm with him and he walks over to me, swipes something off my shoulder and opens the back door. I said “What was that? What did you just take off of me? Was it one of those bugs?” to which he replied, “you didn’t even know it was on you, honey. It’s gone now.”
That's the kind of man I want.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
The Soundtrack to My Life: The Early Years
I grew up a little unconventionally. My parents were quite young when they got married and still young when my sisters and I came along. While most kids of my era grew up with Barney and Blue's Clues, we got that plus endless hours of MTV2 (which was the channel that actually played music videos on in the '90s) and got ready for school while out parents' massive stereo with a 100 plus disc changer blared.
Mama and Daddy for the most part liked the same music but each had their own distinct tastes. Southern and '70s rock always reminds me of my daddy: Stever Miller Band, Queen, Lynard Skynard, etc. Every time I hear The Allman Brother's Jessica or Ramblin' Man, I'm immediately taken back to riding in Daddy's old black Chevy after picking me up from the bus stop or from dance class, windows down, music loud. Also, System Of A Down's Toxicity has the same effect, but that's a completely different genre.
Mama, on the other hand, is associated with bands like Matchbox 20, The Wallflowers, and she was obsessed with Dave Matthews for a while. They once dropped my sisters and I off at our grandparents' for a weekend and went to Florida to see him. Songs like Crash and Satellite remind me of right around September and October when there's just a taste of fall chill in the air, sitting in the dining room, windows open, and Mama helping me with homework. She also gets the band Live, though those memories are not quite as fond. Once, on a trip to Panama City Beach, she played one of their albums (I'm not sure which one-- I tried to block it out) all the way there AND all the way back. It got old... quickly. Each time I heard the CD restart, I could have sworn a tiny part of my brain exploded.
But, whenever I'm feeling nostalgic, I turn to bands like Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins, Alice in Chains, and Tool, bands they both loved. Tuesday, I raided my mom's Pearl Jam collection. For some reason, her copy of Ten was missing, the album I really wanted (I've been singing Jeremy and Evenflow in my head for weeks). I did get Yield, Riot Act, and Backspacer, which turned out great. I immediately picked Backspacer to listen to first since it came out last year, and I don't know how I've lived until then not having heard Just Breathe. It's so beautiful, and I know its my recent love of Folk that instantly made it my favorite track on the album.
I'll leave you now with a video of the song performed on Austin City Limits. Sometimes, a girl needs to get back to her childhood, and sometimes the best way to do that is with some Classic Alternative Rock to bang her head to.
SDG
Mama and Daddy for the most part liked the same music but each had their own distinct tastes. Southern and '70s rock always reminds me of my daddy: Stever Miller Band, Queen, Lynard Skynard, etc. Every time I hear The Allman Brother's Jessica or Ramblin' Man, I'm immediately taken back to riding in Daddy's old black Chevy after picking me up from the bus stop or from dance class, windows down, music loud. Also, System Of A Down's Toxicity has the same effect, but that's a completely different genre.
Mama, on the other hand, is associated with bands like Matchbox 20, The Wallflowers, and she was obsessed with Dave Matthews for a while. They once dropped my sisters and I off at our grandparents' for a weekend and went to Florida to see him. Songs like Crash and Satellite remind me of right around September and October when there's just a taste of fall chill in the air, sitting in the dining room, windows open, and Mama helping me with homework. She also gets the band Live, though those memories are not quite as fond. Once, on a trip to Panama City Beach, she played one of their albums (I'm not sure which one-- I tried to block it out) all the way there AND all the way back. It got old... quickly. Each time I heard the CD restart, I could have sworn a tiny part of my brain exploded.
But, whenever I'm feeling nostalgic, I turn to bands like Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins, Alice in Chains, and Tool, bands they both loved. Tuesday, I raided my mom's Pearl Jam collection. For some reason, her copy of Ten was missing, the album I really wanted (I've been singing Jeremy and Evenflow in my head for weeks). I did get Yield, Riot Act, and Backspacer, which turned out great. I immediately picked Backspacer to listen to first since it came out last year, and I don't know how I've lived until then not having heard Just Breathe. It's so beautiful, and I know its my recent love of Folk that instantly made it my favorite track on the album.
I'll leave you now with a video of the song performed on Austin City Limits. Sometimes, a girl needs to get back to her childhood, and sometimes the best way to do that is with some Classic Alternative Rock to bang her head to.
SDG
Thursday, September 16, 2010
She is not afraid of bad news
This was the verse for yesterday's morning entry in Spurgeon's Morning and Evening. In context of the passage, "He" refers to one "who fears the LORD," (vs. 1). It was a slap in the face for me. Here I've been freaking out and whining and moping because things didn't work out exactly the way I wanted. What little faith that shows! I have a loving God who proves His faithfulness time and time again. I've been arrogant and doubtful in forgetting/refusing to believe that fact. After reading that verse yesterday, I decided I should keep it as a reminder to trust God always and wrote it on my wrist.
God, I'm sorry for my lack of faith and trust in You. "I believe; help my unbelief."
SDG
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Sunday Night
Bliss.
It's been a while since I've felt this. I'm reading my favorite blogs and halfway through a glass of Moscato. The windows are open. I smell the beginnings of Fall in the air. I can hear the crickets even though Iron & Wine, Nick Drake, and Death Cab play in the background.
Thank you, Lord, for today. Thank you for the wonderful, convicting message this morning. You are a Holy God whom we deserve wrath from, but You sent Your Son instead, so that we may be drawn to You, merited with Christ's righteousness.
It's been a while since I've felt this. I'm reading my favorite blogs and halfway through a glass of Moscato. The windows are open. I smell the beginnings of Fall in the air. I can hear the crickets even though Iron & Wine, Nick Drake, and Death Cab play in the background.
Thank you, Lord, for today. Thank you for the wonderful, convicting message this morning. You are a Holy God whom we deserve wrath from, but You sent Your Son instead, so that we may be drawn to You, merited with Christ's righteousness.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Monday
For many of my friends, today probably went something like this:
Get up super early, drive in awful morning traffic, walk a mile to class, sit in boring lectures all day, return home, fulfill social obligations, and do homework to prepare for it all again tomorrow.
My Monday, on the other hand, a Monday of a college graduate, went a little like this:
Roll leisurely out of bed at 10am, eat breakfast, read Classical Apologetics for two hours, go shopping, read aforementioned book in Barnes & Noble for an additional hour and a half or so, eat supper, read fashion blogs, and have an invigorating evening run at the park.
Yeah, I win.
Get up super early, drive in awful morning traffic, walk a mile to class, sit in boring lectures all day, return home, fulfill social obligations, and do homework to prepare for it all again tomorrow.
My Monday, on the other hand, a Monday of a college graduate, went a little like this:
Roll leisurely out of bed at 10am, eat breakfast, read Classical Apologetics for two hours, go shopping, read aforementioned book in Barnes & Noble for an additional hour and a half or so, eat supper, read fashion blogs, and have an invigorating evening run at the park.
Yeah, I win.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
The Ballad of the Goodly Fere
This weekend, I picked up the book Wild At Heart:Discovering the Secrets of a Man's Soul while visiting friends and couldn't put it down. This book describes the heart of the Christian man and why it's designed the way it is. In the book, the author John Eldredge quoted a poem by Ezra Pound that gave me a whole different way of thinking about the kind of a man Christ actually was. Before I leave you readers with the poem, I would like to explain like Eldredge did in the book that "fere" is an Old English term meaning something like "companion" or "mate," so here it is:
SDG
Ha' we lost the goodliest fere o' all
For the priests and the gallows tree?
Aye lover he was of brawny men,
O' ships and the open sea.
When they came wi' a host to take Our Man
His smile was good to see,
"First let these go!" quo' our Goodly Fere,
"Or I'll see ye damened," says he.
Aye he sent us out through the crossed high spears
And the scorn of his laugh rang free,
"Why took ye no me when I walked about
Alone in the town?" says he.
Oh we drank his "Hale" in the good red wine
When we last made company.
No capon priest was the Goodly Fere
But a man o' men was he.
I ha' seen him drive a hundred men
Wi' a bundle o' cords swung free,
That they took the high and holy house
For their pawn and treasury.
They'll no' get him a' in a book I think
Though they write it cunningly,
No mouse of the scrolls was the Goodly Fere
But aye loved the open sea.
If they think they ha' snared our Goodly Fere
They are fools to the last degree.
"I'll go to the feast," quo' our Goodly Fere
"Though I go to the gallows tree."
A son of God was the Goodly Fere
That bade us his brothers be.
I ha' seen him cow a thousand men.
I have seen him upon the tree.
He cried no cry when they drave the nails
And the blood gushed hot and free,
The hounds of the crimson sky gave tongue
But never a cry cried he.
I ha' seen him cow a thousand men
On the hills o' Galilee,
They whined as he walked out calm between,
Wi' his eyes like the grey o' the sea,
Like the sea that brooks no voyaging
With the winds unleashed and free,
Like the sea that he cowed at Genseret
Wi' twey words spoke' suddently
A master of men was the Goodly Fere,
A mate of the wind and sea,
If they think they ha' slain our Goodly Fere
They are fools eternally.
I ha' seen him eat o' the honey-comb
Sin' they nailed him to the tree.
SDG
Monday, August 16, 2010
Shopping Success
I went shopping today and made out like a bandit. I got three pairs of shoes, a pair of skinny black dress pants, a dress with a pretty black floral patterned bottom and a cream top, and a dressy maroon top for whenever I get a real job. All of these items were purchased for - wait for it... less than $50! Hurray for sales and coupons! Also, Saturday I got a new pair of dark wash skinny jeans to wear in the fall, but let's get back to the shoes, though. Through scoping out various online stores and fashion blogs, I have fallen in love with the Oxford. I love how they look with above the knee skirts and dresses and with skinny jeans. Today, I got these:
While perusing a giant pile of mark down shoes, I found some adorable yellow flats. One can never have too many adorable flats, so I got these:
Finally, you may recall my lament over the Clark wedges I couldn't find online. Well, today I found some similar in color (mine are brown, not black like the picture), but a little more dressy, for about 60% less:
While perusing a giant pile of mark down shoes, I found some adorable yellow flats. One can never have too many adorable flats, so I got these:
Finally, you may recall my lament over the Clark wedges I couldn't find online. Well, today I found some similar in color (mine are brown, not black like the picture), but a little more dressy, for about 60% less:
Life lesson of the summer:
Just when you think you've got a handle on life, it swings you sideways, you do a couple of somersaults in the air, fall flat on your face, manage to somewhat sit up on your knees in kind of a hunched slouch position, and then violently throw up a few times before you can try to grab hold the next time it comes around.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Shoes!
I found some Clark wedges while browsing online.
They are pretty, and I can already see how beautifully they will go with numerous outfits I have already. However, no where online has my size in the color I want! So frustrating. I could cave and try to find them at a shoe store in town and pay the $80 - $100 they would inevitably cost, but knowing that they are out there costing half that, well, that's just really dumb to me.
So, either I must diligently keep watching eBay and other discount shoe sites or come to terms with the fact I will not get these shoes. Oh, shoes, so close, yet so far away....
They are pretty, and I can already see how beautifully they will go with numerous outfits I have already. However, no where online has my size in the color I want! So frustrating. I could cave and try to find them at a shoe store in town and pay the $80 - $100 they would inevitably cost, but knowing that they are out there costing half that, well, that's just really dumb to me.
So, either I must diligently keep watching eBay and other discount shoe sites or come to terms with the fact I will not get these shoes. Oh, shoes, so close, yet so far away....
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Nanny Diaries
Started a new job today. I'm a nanny. I'll be working every Wednesday after school hours until September when I will start full time... unless I'm offered another job before then. There are three kids - super cute and smart, but they have a TON of energy. They run around all over this huge house, and I get really nervous if I don't hear anything for a while. Anyway, I help with homework, cook supper, wash dishes, make sure the kids are washed and that they pick up after themselves, and I'll be given more responsibilities in the later weeks. I honestly enjoy most of the stuff I'll be doing, but I know it's going to be very draining.
On a side note: I heart Pandora. My favorite thing to do for a while has been to set it to my Indie Rock station and read other people's life blogs - people with new babies and cool marketing jobs, and awesome vintage clothes and furniture, and a musician husband - and picture my future as turning into something just like that.
SDG
On a side note: I heart Pandora. My favorite thing to do for a while has been to set it to my Indie Rock station and read other people's life blogs - people with new babies and cool marketing jobs, and awesome vintage clothes and furniture, and a musician husband - and picture my future as turning into something just like that.
SDG
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Dead In Our Sins
Ephesians 2:1-5
Many might argue that we have the capacity within ourselves to seek God to earn salvation -- that we, of our own desires, without the work of God in our lives first, have the ability to go to Him and be saved. However, if one is spiritually dead, how could this be so? Can a physically dead man breathe and come alive again of his own volition? This is obviously not possible, otherwise there would be a lot more people roaming around. Therefore, in the same way a physically dead man cannot live again, a spiritually dead man is helpless to gain spiritual life.
Ezekiel 37:1-14 illustrates this point. God shows the prophet Ezekiel a vision of a valley of dry bones. God asks Ezekiel in verse three, "Son of man, can these bones live?" The answer, "O Lord GOD, you know." God then tells Ezekiel to prophesy, and as he does so, the bones come together, are covered with muscles and skin, then are given breath. God says in verse 11, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel." The bones represent God's chosen people of the Old Testament. God's chosen people of the New Testament - the church. God is showing how He works in the lives of the ones He loves to raise them from spiritual death. Verse 14: "And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live.... Then you shall know that I am the LORD."
This second part of Ezekiel 37:14 shows us why God does this. He works singularly (meaning without any requirement on us) so that we may know from it that He is Lord. His working of our salvation is also a demonstration of his incredible love for us. Ephesians 2:4-5: "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ..." The most beautiful two words found in Scripture, "but God." We cannot raise ourselves out of spiritual death, but God can and does through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ.
In light of these passages, how can anyone argue that we depraved children of wrath have any hand in our salvation? To say so diminishes the death of Christ and the work of God in our lives. We were DEAD! God gave us spiritual life, He rescued us, to show His love and mercy and to demonstrate His authority as God.
SDG
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience-- among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved--This passage says we were dead in our trespasses. This simple statement is so significant. It calls attention to our complete helplessness to save ourselves, to go from spiritual death as "children of wrath" to adopted sons and daughters with spiritual life.
Many might argue that we have the capacity within ourselves to seek God to earn salvation -- that we, of our own desires, without the work of God in our lives first, have the ability to go to Him and be saved. However, if one is spiritually dead, how could this be so? Can a physically dead man breathe and come alive again of his own volition? This is obviously not possible, otherwise there would be a lot more people roaming around. Therefore, in the same way a physically dead man cannot live again, a spiritually dead man is helpless to gain spiritual life.
Ezekiel 37:1-14 illustrates this point. God shows the prophet Ezekiel a vision of a valley of dry bones. God asks Ezekiel in verse three, "Son of man, can these bones live?" The answer, "O Lord GOD, you know." God then tells Ezekiel to prophesy, and as he does so, the bones come together, are covered with muscles and skin, then are given breath. God says in verse 11, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel." The bones represent God's chosen people of the Old Testament. God's chosen people of the New Testament - the church. God is showing how He works in the lives of the ones He loves to raise them from spiritual death. Verse 14: "And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live.... Then you shall know that I am the LORD."
This second part of Ezekiel 37:14 shows us why God does this. He works singularly (meaning without any requirement on us) so that we may know from it that He is Lord. His working of our salvation is also a demonstration of his incredible love for us. Ephesians 2:4-5: "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ..." The most beautiful two words found in Scripture, "but God." We cannot raise ourselves out of spiritual death, but God can and does through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ.
In light of these passages, how can anyone argue that we depraved children of wrath have any hand in our salvation? To say so diminishes the death of Christ and the work of God in our lives. We were DEAD! God gave us spiritual life, He rescued us, to show His love and mercy and to demonstrate His authority as God.
SDG
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Never Ending Math Equation
I'm the same as I was when I was six years old
And oh my god I feel so damn old
I don't really feel anything
- Modest Mouse
And oh my god I feel so damn old
I don't really feel anything
- Modest Mouse
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Growing Up
It's August. That means most of my friends will be heading back to school in a few weeks, and my cousins will be starting in a few days.
I don't go back this year.
I thought I would be sad about it when it finally rolled around. I thought I might feel like I was missing out on the fun of new classes, roommates, and all of the randomness at friends' houses, but honestly, I'm not. I will miss the socialization, but I am so very glad to be done with school. I'm happy I don't have to buy ridiculously over-priced text books. I'm happy I won't have to trek a mile across campus to arrive dripping with sweat to my classes. I won't have homework, and I'll have no more stress over silly classes required for graduation that barely qualify as remotely helpful to any future career I might have.
I'm ready to work. I'm ready to contribute all of the knowledge and skills I've acquired to an organization that appreciates them. I'm ready to get paid for my input, not paying to learn others views and ways of doing things.
My life is taking a whole different turn, and I finally feel like I'm ready to meet it head on.
SDG
I don't go back this year.
I thought I would be sad about it when it finally rolled around. I thought I might feel like I was missing out on the fun of new classes, roommates, and all of the randomness at friends' houses, but honestly, I'm not. I will miss the socialization, but I am so very glad to be done with school. I'm happy I don't have to buy ridiculously over-priced text books. I'm happy I won't have to trek a mile across campus to arrive dripping with sweat to my classes. I won't have homework, and I'll have no more stress over silly classes required for graduation that barely qualify as remotely helpful to any future career I might have.
I'm ready to work. I'm ready to contribute all of the knowledge and skills I've acquired to an organization that appreciates them. I'm ready to get paid for my input, not paying to learn others views and ways of doing things.
My life is taking a whole different turn, and I finally feel like I'm ready to meet it head on.
SDG
Monday, July 5, 2010
Rooney Returns and A Light Goes Off
Does anyone out there remember this song from like 2004?
Probably not. Even in high school, my musical tastes were obscure, but I digress. I know you must remember the movie Princess Dairies with Anne Hathaway, and if you remember her, surely you remember her love-interest... you know, the indie guy with the long hair that was in a band. Maybe this video will jog your memory.
Well, when I watched the movie for the first time, several years ago, I always thought that the "ah ah ah's" from dude's band sounded like Rooney's "Blueside," but I thought it was just a coincidence or whatever. Then a few weeks ago, I saw this:
Now, you can see Robert Schwartzman's face, unhidden by locks of hair, it clearly is the same guy that was in Princess Diaries. (May I add, he looks way cuter, now... it may be the hat, hmm....)
Anyway, I really like this song. I may buy the album now. Review possibly to come in the future... we shall see. I thought I'd at least share my revelation with the internet world.
SDG
Probably not. Even in high school, my musical tastes were obscure, but I digress. I know you must remember the movie Princess Dairies with Anne Hathaway, and if you remember her, surely you remember her love-interest... you know, the indie guy with the long hair that was in a band. Maybe this video will jog your memory.
Well, when I watched the movie for the first time, several years ago, I always thought that the "ah ah ah's" from dude's band sounded like Rooney's "Blueside," but I thought it was just a coincidence or whatever. Then a few weeks ago, I saw this:
Now, you can see Robert Schwartzman's face, unhidden by locks of hair, it clearly is the same guy that was in Princess Diaries. (May I add, he looks way cuter, now... it may be the hat, hmm....)
Anyway, I really like this song. I may buy the album now. Review possibly to come in the future... we shall see. I thought I'd at least share my revelation with the internet world.
SDG
Friday, July 2, 2010
Explorers of the Woods Behind My House
Cathy came to visit this weekend to celebrate the Fourth of July. How did we choose to start off the weekend? By an extreme hike in the woods behind my house... with my dog Stinger... while pretending to be wizards... and at times running around like a crazy person.
Of course, we had to don our extreme hiking gear, which triggered the extreme behavior:
But the trip was a success, since we found these delicious blackberries to enjoy on the trek back!
We returned home free of ticks, with all our limbs, and no giant spider attacks.
SDG
Of course, we had to don our extreme hiking gear, which triggered the extreme behavior:
But the trip was a success, since we found these delicious blackberries to enjoy on the trek back!
We returned home free of ticks, with all our limbs, and no giant spider attacks.
SDG
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Random Fact About Me
I love Lord of the Rings. However, I've just discovered that I only watch it when I've been sad or depressed. I think it's because it makes me feel better about my life since I know I'll never have to bear the ring of power, take it on an epic journey to Mordor, and destroy it in the fires of Mount Doom.
Hmm... go figure.
SDG
Hmm... go figure.
SDG
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Infinite Arms
I know I promised a review of Infinite Arms by Band of Horses weeks ago. I'm sorry I'm just now getting to it. I listened to the album a couple of times through and kept waiting for the critique to come, and I could never get any definite opinion formed, and that's what I'm left with. I really love Band of Horses, and I wanted to write a rave review for its new album, so I was torn.
The album is not bad, by any means, but I found it not up to the standards set in Cease to Begin and Everything All The Time. There's nothing that stands out to me in the latest album like "Ode to LRC" and "Detlef Shrempf" in Cease to Begin and Everything All The Time's "Our Swords," which has an excellent bass line intro that just makes you want to do the rock show head bob. Actually, after just replaying some of Cease to Begin, I can see why I was disappointed. There are some very excellent tracks on that album, and I guess I was expecting them to continue that direction, following their indie-unique sound instead of morphing and conforming into their major record company label.
I do like the pretty acoustic-ness in the title track, and it seems to be the only song that retains the band's haunting vocals found in the previous albums. It feels kind of like the band tried to clean up their sound when they should have left it raw and dirty.
The album is not bad, by any means, but I found it not up to the standards set in Cease to Begin and Everything All The Time. There's nothing that stands out to me in the latest album like "Ode to LRC" and "Detlef Shrempf" in Cease to Begin and Everything All The Time's "Our Swords," which has an excellent bass line intro that just makes you want to do the rock show head bob. Actually, after just replaying some of Cease to Begin, I can see why I was disappointed. There are some very excellent tracks on that album, and I guess I was expecting them to continue that direction, following their indie-unique sound instead of morphing and conforming into their major record company label.
I do like the pretty acoustic-ness in the title track, and it seems to be the only song that retains the band's haunting vocals found in the previous albums. It feels kind of like the band tried to clean up their sound when they should have left it raw and dirty.
Friday, June 18, 2010
MGMT - It's Working
The second video from MGMT's album Congratulations has been released. It's for the band's beach meets psychedelic rock, bongo laced track "It's Working," which Andrew affectionately introduced as being about doing drugs on their Live on Letterman performance.
This song has been a favorite since I first listened to the album, and after learning the song was about drugs, the lyrics "But it's working in you blood/But you know it's not the same as love/Love is only in your mind/Not your heart" became way more interesting.
I must say this video is completely different from the previous one for "Flash Delirium" which I discussed here. I would say "It's Working" is more reminiscent of the group's earlier "Time To Pretend" and "Electric Feel" videos. While "Flash Delirium" captured the band's way-out-there-super-trippy-too-cool-for-you side, this one reveals the side we fans are more familiar with, the were-grown-ups-but-that-doesn't-mean-we-have-to-give-up-our-childlike-imaginations side. I love the contrast of the kid with the ice cream cone and Andrew waking Ben up from a bed he's sharing with the stereotypical music video hot girl. It's like they are saying, "Some things are good about being an adult, but don't forget about the good things about being a kid!"
So, I've embedded the video for you to form your own opinions. Enjoy!
This song has been a favorite since I first listened to the album, and after learning the song was about drugs, the lyrics "But it's working in you blood/But you know it's not the same as love/Love is only in your mind/Not your heart" became way more interesting.
I must say this video is completely different from the previous one for "Flash Delirium" which I discussed here. I would say "It's Working" is more reminiscent of the group's earlier "Time To Pretend" and "Electric Feel" videos. While "Flash Delirium" captured the band's way-out-there-super-trippy-too-cool-for-you side, this one reveals the side we fans are more familiar with, the were-grown-ups-but-that-doesn't-mean-we-have-to-give-up-our-childlike-imaginations side. I love the contrast of the kid with the ice cream cone and Andrew waking Ben up from a bed he's sharing with the stereotypical music video hot girl. It's like they are saying, "Some things are good about being an adult, but don't forget about the good things about being a kid!"
So, I've embedded the video for you to form your own opinions. Enjoy!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Rewards = Customer Loyalty
This weekend, I received my Starbucks Gold Card in the mail, which made me extremely happy. Why, you may ask? Not only because this little card means that I get cool things like two free hours of Wi-Fi and free drink customization, but also that this was a company recognizing the fact that I consume insane amounts of its product. It was a sign of appreciation from a place where I spend hours of my time and a good chunk of my spending money. It was the equivalent of saying, "Hey, thanks for coming to see us so often! We think that's awesome, so we got you this present!"
Why is that significant? Well, I'm about to put on my Public Relations student hat and tell you. People like recognition. They like to feel their contributions are appreciated, even the apparently insignificant contributions such as everyday purchases of groceries or coffee. When customers feel appreciation, i.e. through rewards, they respond with brand/company loyalty. Now that I have my rewards card, I want to show Starbucks I'm grateful for their recognition by continuing to make my coffee/tea purchases there.
Another reason why rewarding customers is an excellent loyalty-building tool is that it makes customers feel special. When I go into Starbucks and pull out my personalized, shiny, gold card, I'm doing something that not everyone has the option of doing. Therefore, Starbucks is giving me the opportunity to participate in an exclusive activity. Say that something's exclusive and try to make it sound unappealing. Not possible.
Finally, since I now know I'm rewarded for each purchase, I have more of an incentive to go to Starbucks over another coffee shop that will not let me add a double shot of vanilla to my Misto for free. This leads me to mention another company that has a similar practice - Kroger. Through using my Kroger card, I get in-store discounts, points that add up to 10 cents off my next fuel purchase, and coupons sent to my house that are for things I actually buy! So when I go grocery shopping, I'm going to go to Kroger so that when my gas tank's getting close to "E" and I pull up to the pump, the display will read, "Would you like to use your 10 cents off?"
So, in conclusion, if a company wants to increase customer loyalty, they should tell their customers, "Hey, you know, you are a real special group of people, and we just want to say thanks for picking us," and customer rewards programs are an excellent way to say just that.
Why is that significant? Well, I'm about to put on my Public Relations student hat and tell you. People like recognition. They like to feel their contributions are appreciated, even the apparently insignificant contributions such as everyday purchases of groceries or coffee. When customers feel appreciation, i.e. through rewards, they respond with brand/company loyalty. Now that I have my rewards card, I want to show Starbucks I'm grateful for their recognition by continuing to make my coffee/tea purchases there.
Another reason why rewarding customers is an excellent loyalty-building tool is that it makes customers feel special. When I go into Starbucks and pull out my personalized, shiny, gold card, I'm doing something that not everyone has the option of doing. Therefore, Starbucks is giving me the opportunity to participate in an exclusive activity. Say that something's exclusive and try to make it sound unappealing. Not possible.
Finally, since I now know I'm rewarded for each purchase, I have more of an incentive to go to Starbucks over another coffee shop that will not let me add a double shot of vanilla to my Misto for free. This leads me to mention another company that has a similar practice - Kroger. Through using my Kroger card, I get in-store discounts, points that add up to 10 cents off my next fuel purchase, and coupons sent to my house that are for things I actually buy! So when I go grocery shopping, I'm going to go to Kroger so that when my gas tank's getting close to "E" and I pull up to the pump, the display will read, "Would you like to use your 10 cents off?"
So, in conclusion, if a company wants to increase customer loyalty, they should tell their customers, "Hey, you know, you are a real special group of people, and we just want to say thanks for picking us," and customer rewards programs are an excellent way to say just that.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Sermon Thoughts
At church this morning, our text was Romans 12:14-21, which describes how the Christian should respond to the world. While all in all, I found the teaching on the passage to be practical and helpful, there were a few things that stood out to me as needing addressing. These may have been just casual comments, but I can't let them go in my mind.
In introducing the passage, the pastor made a point to say that some of the things that Christians are called to do, their way of life, seem impossible, but in reality they are just difficult. While on the surface, this statement may appear to be harmless, it can lead to some very wrong thinking, which the pastor took no effort to steer.
It seemed he was trying to perpetuate the idea that we have the ability to achieve what God has called us to do by way of our own wills. That if we are not able to "rejoice with those who rejoice" or "weep with those who weep" we aren't trying hard enough.
I would like to present this idea: That because of our fallen nature, to achieve any righteousness on our own is indeed completely impossible. We are only able to fulfill God's calling when we are enabled through Christ. The other way of thinking implied by the previous statement leads to works-based salvation mentality and legalism - non of which are Biblical behaviors for Christians.
So, Christian, when we become disheartened at our failed attempts to live righteously and follow God's commands, we shouldn't take this to mean God loves us any less because we weren't trying hard enough. If we possessed anything within ourselves to be Godly by sheer will-power, what need would there be for God to humble Himself in human form to save us? Therefore, when we fail, we should realize our Savior is near and surrender to Him, and when we succeed, it's Christ's work through us, and we should be glad and give thanks.
Sola Scriptura, Sola Fide, Sola Gratia, Solus Christus, Soli Deo Gloria
In introducing the passage, the pastor made a point to say that some of the things that Christians are called to do, their way of life, seem impossible, but in reality they are just difficult. While on the surface, this statement may appear to be harmless, it can lead to some very wrong thinking, which the pastor took no effort to steer.
It seemed he was trying to perpetuate the idea that we have the ability to achieve what God has called us to do by way of our own wills. That if we are not able to "rejoice with those who rejoice" or "weep with those who weep" we aren't trying hard enough.
I would like to present this idea: That because of our fallen nature, to achieve any righteousness on our own is indeed completely impossible. We are only able to fulfill God's calling when we are enabled through Christ. The other way of thinking implied by the previous statement leads to works-based salvation mentality and legalism - non of which are Biblical behaviors for Christians.
So, Christian, when we become disheartened at our failed attempts to live righteously and follow God's commands, we shouldn't take this to mean God loves us any less because we weren't trying hard enough. If we possessed anything within ourselves to be Godly by sheer will-power, what need would there be for God to humble Himself in human form to save us? Therefore, when we fail, we should realize our Savior is near and surrender to Him, and when we succeed, it's Christ's work through us, and we should be glad and give thanks.
Sola Scriptura, Sola Fide, Sola Gratia, Solus Christus, Soli Deo Gloria
Friday, June 4, 2010
Review to Come
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
For Amusement Purposes Only
1. Is he tall (5' 10" at least, 6 feet or taller is better)?
2. Does he have a beard or beard potential?
3. Is he intelligent?
4. Does he have good taste in music?
5. Does he play an instrument?
6. Does he like discussing theology (all guys in question would, of course, be Christians)?
7. Is he a Calvinist?
8. Is he outdoorsy?
9. Can he make me laugh?
and finally...
10. How cute would our children be? ;)
My Life's Ambition
Proverbs 31:25-27
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
SDG
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
SDG
Friday, May 28, 2010
I and Love and You
It's been a while since I've done any music reviewing, so this blog is going to be on a recent love of mine, I and Love and You by The Avett Brothers.
I will confess, I know very little about the band, just having come across the album that released last summer, but I'm looking forward to procuring some of their older albums.
I must say that this album tickles my country bone - a feat not easily done. While I would not classify the group in that particular genre, the lyrics and bass rhythms produce a feeling of sitting in a rocking chair with a glass of lemonade on a back porch. I think the track "January Wedding" best illustrates this.
While the album does have that country undertone, there are some blatantly pop/rock vibes as well. My favorite track so far, "Kick Drum Heart" is a testament to that with its lively beats, catchy chorus, and screamed lines. The last two minutes of "The Perfect Space" is similar.
And I can't not talk about the lyrics. My favorite lines so far are the sort of philosophical statement, "Ain't it like most people, I'm no different, we love to talk on things we don't know about," from "Ten Thousand Words" and (me being all girly here) "She's talking to me with her voice down so low I barely hear her, but I know what she's saying. I understand because my heart and hers are the same," in "January Wedding." My heart just melts!
This album also demonstrates some plain, pure, and purdy instrumental (and vocal for that matter) melodies. I do love the piano's presence and the smooth violin parts. They contrast and yet fit with the rock/country rhythms. All in all, I've listened to the album a dozen times, and I keep discovering new reasons to love it.
I will confess, I know very little about the band, just having come across the album that released last summer, but I'm looking forward to procuring some of their older albums.
I must say that this album tickles my country bone - a feat not easily done. While I would not classify the group in that particular genre, the lyrics and bass rhythms produce a feeling of sitting in a rocking chair with a glass of lemonade on a back porch. I think the track "January Wedding" best illustrates this.
While the album does have that country undertone, there are some blatantly pop/rock vibes as well. My favorite track so far, "Kick Drum Heart" is a testament to that with its lively beats, catchy chorus, and screamed lines. The last two minutes of "The Perfect Space" is similar.
And I can't not talk about the lyrics. My favorite lines so far are the sort of philosophical statement, "Ain't it like most people, I'm no different, we love to talk on things we don't know about," from "Ten Thousand Words" and (me being all girly here) "She's talking to me with her voice down so low I barely hear her, but I know what she's saying. I understand because my heart and hers are the same," in "January Wedding." My heart just melts!
This album also demonstrates some plain, pure, and purdy instrumental (and vocal for that matter) melodies. I do love the piano's presence and the smooth violin parts. They contrast and yet fit with the rock/country rhythms. All in all, I've listened to the album a dozen times, and I keep discovering new reasons to love it.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Summer
I know its technically not summer yet, but in Mississippi, it might as well be, so here is what that means to me.
Summertime means curly hair and ponytails.
Summertime means trips to the lake and lounging in friends' pools.
Summertime means waking up and putting on shorts and a t-shirt and knowing it will be acceptable attire for anywhere I want to go that day.
Summertime also means breezy, cotton sun dresses.
Summertime means soaking sun in the back yard with a good book.
Summertime means waking up from the sun streaming in my window, not an intrusive alarm.
Summertime means some new addiction (i. e. book, author, band, TV series, genre, etc...) and ample free time to indulge.
Summertime means late-night card games with my grandmother.
Summertime means cool evening runs at the park.
Summertime means randomness with my cousins.
But most importantly, summertime means time for me to take a step back, breathe, and enjoy my life.
SDG
Summertime means curly hair and ponytails.
Summertime means trips to the lake and lounging in friends' pools.
Summertime means waking up and putting on shorts and a t-shirt and knowing it will be acceptable attire for anywhere I want to go that day.
Summertime also means breezy, cotton sun dresses.
Summertime means soaking sun in the back yard with a good book.
Summertime means waking up from the sun streaming in my window, not an intrusive alarm.
Summertime means some new addiction (i. e. book, author, band, TV series, genre, etc...) and ample free time to indulge.
Summertime means late-night card games with my grandmother.
Summertime means cool evening runs at the park.
Summertime means randomness with my cousins.
But most importantly, summertime means time for me to take a step back, breathe, and enjoy my life.
SDG
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Why I Study Theology
The more I learn about the nature of God, the nature of man, and Christ's work in my life, the more wretched I see that I am. This all at the same time makes me see how undeserving I am, humbles me, and gives me unspeakable joy.
SDG
SDG
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Tuesday: A Summary
Hello blog world.
It's nearing my bed time, so this shall be a shortened version of my day:
RC Sproul is hilarious when writing about predestination, especially when using analogies such as "Gerstner is to Calvinism as Einstein is to physics...."
Coffee is a delicious beverage best enjoyed with a Bible.
Good friends are beacons of light in times when everything is seen dimly.
Loving your family is a heart-wrenching act at times.
Mind-bending movies make life more interesting.
Music that brings chill bumps is the best de-stresser.
Also, it's lovely outside, so I think I shall sleep with the windows open.
SDG
It's nearing my bed time, so this shall be a shortened version of my day:
RC Sproul is hilarious when writing about predestination, especially when using analogies such as "Gerstner is to Calvinism as Einstein is to physics...."
Coffee is a delicious beverage best enjoyed with a Bible.
Good friends are beacons of light in times when everything is seen dimly.
Loving your family is a heart-wrenching act at times.
Mind-bending movies make life more interesting.
Music that brings chill bumps is the best de-stresser.
Also, it's lovely outside, so I think I shall sleep with the windows open.
SDG
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Uncertainty
When will I know
All this waiting and wishing weighting down on me
Wandering and wondering
So tired of being tired
All of the what if's and maybe's
Maybe it's around the corner
And everything's gonna be alright
What if this new morning
Is the end to so many long dark nights
Hoping against all hope hope's not what I'm loosing
Trusting in my choice that trust is what I'm choosing
Years of order
Bending, giving way to chaos and sense of loss
Freely charged on initial cost
Life in aimless direction
Where do I go from here
I'll go just around the corner
Then everything will be alright
And this new morning
Has to be the end to all the long dark nights
Knowing that all the no's from that one lofty voice
Being less than the cost of yes that won't always still the noise
All this waiting and wishing weighting down on me
Wandering and wondering
So tired of being tired
All of the what if's and maybe's
Maybe it's around the corner
And everything's gonna be alright
What if this new morning
Is the end to so many long dark nights
Hoping against all hope hope's not what I'm loosing
Trusting in my choice that trust is what I'm choosing
Years of order
Bending, giving way to chaos and sense of loss
Freely charged on initial cost
Life in aimless direction
Where do I go from here
I'll go just around the corner
Then everything will be alright
And this new morning
Has to be the end to all the long dark nights
Knowing that all the no's from that one lofty voice
Being less than the cost of yes that won't always still the noise
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Where is our focus?
America seems to perpetuate certain values. These values center around hard work, family, and financial security. While, these of themselves are respectable things to strive for, we must never loose their perspective in relation to Christ.
A lot of what I've been reading lately has triggered this post, mostly from some revelations in my own life. I'm currently job-seeking and finding myself anxious and worried. This worry doesn't stem from any fears for myself, but from what I feel some of my family expects from me.
I don't want to disappoint my family, but if God calls me to a career that means I'll have to work harder to make paychecks last, so be it! I will risk the respect of my family to follow my Lord.
So, to return to my main point, I realized my family is trying to hold me to the values set by our country, values that do not necessarily coincide with what kind of life Christians are called to live.
Hard work is good - God ordained 6 days of the week for it (Ex. 20:9)! But only when it is done to glorify God by exercising and putting to use the talents God has blessed us with (1 Cor. 12:4-7), not when done to perpetuate selfish desires of wealth.
Honoring family is good - it is commanded of us (Ex. 20:12)! However, we should not value it over service to the Lord (Luke 14:26).
Financial security is good - God says He will provide for us all we need (Matt. 6:25ff), but that "[I]t is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God," (Matt. 19:24).
When these things fall out of line, they pose the danger of becoming our life's focus, instead of the cross. We should make certain that we keep our priorities in check. Earthly things are not meant to satisfy our eternal longings, and no one should influence us otherwise.
SDG
A lot of what I've been reading lately has triggered this post, mostly from some revelations in my own life. I'm currently job-seeking and finding myself anxious and worried. This worry doesn't stem from any fears for myself, but from what I feel some of my family expects from me.
I don't want to disappoint my family, but if God calls me to a career that means I'll have to work harder to make paychecks last, so be it! I will risk the respect of my family to follow my Lord.
So, to return to my main point, I realized my family is trying to hold me to the values set by our country, values that do not necessarily coincide with what kind of life Christians are called to live.
Hard work is good - God ordained 6 days of the week for it (Ex. 20:9)! But only when it is done to glorify God by exercising and putting to use the talents God has blessed us with (1 Cor. 12:4-7), not when done to perpetuate selfish desires of wealth.
Honoring family is good - it is commanded of us (Ex. 20:12)! However, we should not value it over service to the Lord (Luke 14:26).
Financial security is good - God says He will provide for us all we need (Matt. 6:25ff), but that "[I]t is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God," (Matt. 19:24).
When these things fall out of line, they pose the danger of becoming our life's focus, instead of the cross. We should make certain that we keep our priorities in check. Earthly things are not meant to satisfy our eternal longings, and no one should influence us otherwise.
SDG
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Home... for now
I've finally gotten everything out of my apartment in Starkville and to their respective places in Tupelo.
I've been rearranging, redecorating, and reorganizing all day long, but it feels great now knowing exactly where everything is!
During all this, I had time for 2 mini art projects:
1. I cut up some old sheet music from an honor choir from community college. I think it looks really neat.
2. This next one is my favorite! They're movie ticket stubs I've collected over the years. Some are as old as from 2003!
I've been rearranging, redecorating, and reorganizing all day long, but it feels great now knowing exactly where everything is!
During all this, I had time for 2 mini art projects:
1. I cut up some old sheet music from an honor choir from community college. I think it looks really neat.
2. This next one is my favorite! They're movie ticket stubs I've collected over the years. Some are as old as from 2003!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)