lights of the city from atop the empire state building at night
the city looks placid
and twinkles with the possibility of peace
a soft, warm kiss –
a connection older and deeper than
the crisp chill of the night air
***
Sappy, yes. But also true.
I love you mountains
& oceans
and infinite expanses of sky . . .
endless sunrays
and boundless moonbeams
***
The Deacon’s Last Note
There’s a mess in my head
and love in my heart;
there’s blood on my hands
and I’m falling apart.
***
Through the Window
And I see myself
slide away on the opposite train-
expressionless –
as the dark tunnel swallows the car –
and I am gone
“Make sure that the fortune you seek is the fortune you need.”
“Brown Eyed Blues”
“Nothing is as beautiful
as when she believes in me”
– Ben Harper, Diamonds on the Inside
“No one thinks their own ideology is wrong” – Joseph Stiglitz
"Theories are filters that help sharpen our vision. They allow us to see in additional dimensions." – Tom Hubbard
Why is Asian animae such a hot new trend? This is an honest question, because I don’t understand.
Why is BET's central show called "106 & Park"? Did something of historical significance happen there? I apologize if I'm ignorant. I've been to the corner of 106 & Park and quite frankly all that's there is the underside of the rail tressel, a small empty playground and St. Cecilia's. Do they maybe tape the show in the large non-descript building on the corner? Honesty, I just don't know.
For me, writing is about finding your voice – a space that no one else can occupy or copy.
It's a way of getting to know myself inside out.
The words, dulled by medication, are rarely vivid anymore.
My friend Maddy got engaged last night. She's so excited that she emailed a couple of us a digital picture of herself wearing the ring and a huge ass smile. I am so happy for her (and Mike too). They are off to California for the summer to relax while he applies to graduate Geology programs.
A few days ago my friend Carol also got engaged. After graduation she's moving back to Norfolk to be with John. They met in the Navy and he's still stationed there. I can't wait to see that wedding - Navy officers in dress whites. Uhhh huh!
Tonight I came across a snippet of paper stuck in my journal that made me laugh right out loud. It was from this summer and simply said, "What do you do when life begins to imitate bad porn? When your life takes on the tone of a Saturday afternoon movie so bad it never even hit the theatres?"
I guess that must have been a bad day.
hah hah hah. I crack myself up.
On a happier note, I had the opportunity to spend some quality quiet time in the northwoods at my mom and dad's new lake cabin. They are doing all the work themselves and I think it is absolutely beautiful - from the woodwork to the stonework it is all handcrafted.
My dad and brother started it last spring and my bro lived in the woods and worked on it all summer.
As it turns out, I had the honor of contributing one of the milestone achievements while we were there over Thanksgiving weekend. I am totally proud to say that I hooked up the first running water in the place!!!
(And I lost minimal blood in the process. Nothing that couldn't be cured with some kleenex and a strip of duct tape.)
Yes, me. Klutz extraordinare. I put together the sink for what will be the bar in the basement. Who knew that faucets had so many tiny pieces inside them! Together my dad and I set the cabinets and countertops and then I got to install the sink. It was my first experience using plumber's putty. Very cool stuff.
Once the sink was in, I got to hook up the water. Turns out I got the hoses wrong and the hot came out the cold and the cold came out the hot, but that was fairly easy to fix. Now I know how Tim the Toolman feels.
Rock on with my bad self. Arr arr arh and much chest thumping. . .
Okay, so it's been ages since I've taken a moment out of the craziness of life to sit down and post something. I'm not sure why, the days and weeks just seem to slip away.
But, I'm here now. So here goes. . .
Flew home for Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday. It was a much needed break and I had an excellent time. Nothing but relaxing and hanging out with the family.
Thanksgiving itself was tempered by the seriousness of war. My cousin Chris arrived in Kuwait on Thanksgiving Day. He has been gone since June, undergoing training for an extended tour of duty.
He's a single dad with a five year old daughter. And while he's been gone, he's missed his daughter's first day of Kindergarten, her first school Halloween party, and soon her first Christmas program.
I can barely think about it - my emotions turn raw at the thought. Every day his little girl wears a small heart-shaped American flag lapel pin that reads, "I Love My Soldier". And although her mother is not a part of her life, it is also difficult knowing that she is currently stationed in Afghanistan.
Although I do not support this war or our government's foreign policies, I have the utmost respect for all the men and women who are putting their lives on the line in the name of peace. To your dedication, your sense of duty, and the hope you represent, I salute you. Come home safely one and all.