I'm in Love with a Stripper*

Tonight is a beginning of the beginning. It is Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, The day before Lent, a forty day period of "fasting." Not to be confused with Foie Gras, fattened goose liver. For Lent, I'm giving up going to bed after midnight. And in anticipation of my birthday, I hope to spend the next 28 mornings yoga-ing (yoging?).

This is also the beginning of my running. I ran three miles tonight. I'm planning for three more Thursday and five Sunday.

If you want to know more about my septentrional trip last weekend, scroll down. I had a draft and it posted on the day I saved the draft but below my more recent post.

*This song was requested driving to and from the Lincoln Racquet Club on 94.1. Both times by females. Apparently it has been #1 in the Top Five at Nine the last three evenings.

"I Sent a Blind Child to Camp!"

As a service to Christian Record Services, AdventSource includes coin holders and brochures for their National Camps for Blind Children program in the Pathfinder orders. The back of the coin holder provides useful information that I thought I would share with y'all.

"Reasons blind kids go to camp:
See friends
Do fun things
Gain confidence
Be with fun people

Things blind kids do at camp:
Morning devotions
Breakfast/lunch/supper
Water balloon fights
Horseback riding
Beeper baseball
Campfire bowl
Water-skiing
Talent night
Swimming
Archery
Crafts

"Reach out and touch Faith."

I made wonderful time on Friday. leaving from work a bit early and arriving a bit after 8, I covered the 423.7 miles in 366 minutes. We left at 5:30 am to make the four hour jaunt north to DAA.

Talking to my mom the night before, I was feeling cynical about DAA's situation (They have less than forty students in attendance.) The previous Annual Fund goal of $300,000 (which alumni and constituents of the conference have met every year for a long time) is now $400,000. I said to my mother, "Are they going to have us raise $500,000 next year for 30 kids?" Why should a parent send their kid to DAA instead of another Adventist school? Should they spend $50,000 sending their kid to DAA or put that toward the $80,000 that Union now wants (or both)? So I was happy to go see my sister, but I wasn't as supportive of the institution any more.

My sister helped teach the Sabbath school lesson, which was good. Van Hurst, former president of the conference, current youth ministries director for the Mid-America Union and father of a senior girl, had the sermon. The sermon was based on the demoniac of Gadarene. He talked about how mutilation be it tattoos, premarital sex, drugs, suicide (the most severe form), or plain ol' cutting and burning is a crying out to be heard and loved. For some reason (he even questioned it himself) Van shared that the first mutilations take place on private parts, and that by the time you see cuts on arms "it has already gone much further."

Lunch was with my sister's friend's uncle who is the Boy's Dean Worrin Allsman. He has three brothers Orrin, Dorrin, and probably Lorrin. Refreshingly, they served roast beef. It was tasty.

For the main event, instead of the sponsors or students themselves reading a letter about their life and influences from academy as in previous years, they had the parents talk about the students. It was a nice change. Everyone should be so lucky to be viewed through their parents' eyes. I know I enjoyed seeing the twelve seniors through their parents' eyes. While I think going to academy is important to who each of those kids are, I don't think it is necessary. I think the habits and traits of children are formed long before they get to academy.

"The silence of a falling star lights up a purple sky."

"A lady, for the workers!"

For everyone who recommended The Running Company to get shoes from, thank you. They were very helpful, and I look forward to using my new purchase.

I watched "Running in the Red," the new play from Union College Productions. I was grumpy at the beginning of the play, daring them to make me even smile, and at the end of the play, I was still enjoying various parts. The drive home was helped by Whip It from Devo, The Rubberband Man from the Spinners, Sunshine Superman from Donovan, and finally, Come Sail Away from Styx. 105.3, even though they've changed formats and have no live djs, still brings it.

This weekend I go to the North Country to recognize my sister (Senior Recognition at DAA). Kinda like a morgue viewing without the death and nudity.

Metablog v. Godzira

I just thought I'd mention that a lot of people blogged on the 22nd. So you should check them out, and teachers and those who have read freshman papers would appreciate Mike and Melanie's latest.

You are going to be taking a trip to the seaside.

Is This Anything?!

I got to the post office late today. Fortunately as I fumbled with my packages, Julie Butler let me in. Once I queued up, the elderly gentleman with an "I Vote Pro-Life" button at the end of the line who had his two dollar bills, and maybe some coins too, out and ready to make his purchase, offered me his place in line because "You look busier than me, and I just have to buy some stamps." I said, "You can stay. You won't be taking much of my time."

I ask my most intelligent readers, Is this anything? Is this conceited or arrogant or just polite?

Happy Presiding Day!

President comes from the Latin "to sit before." So I hope each of you sat before something today. I have tried all day to think of how to celebrate this day; besides not mailing something, I got nothing. I even have a way to commemorate MLK Jr. Day (I drink chocolate milk.). So any suggestions from y'all to make this day more memorable would be quite welcome.

I'm rewatching my favorite parts of the Simon and Garfunkel in Central Park dvd tonight. They don't interact with the crowd as well as Ben Folds does in his "Ben Folds with WASO (Western Australia Symphony Orchestra) Live at Perth" dvd.

"Now the years are rolling by me, they are rocking evenly.
I am older than I once was,
Younger than I'll be that's not unusual,
Though it isn't strange.
After changes upon changes
We are more or less the same,
After changes we are more or less the same."

--The Boxer

This verse isn't on the Bridge Over Troubled Water album. I first heard it when I rented a best music of SNL dvd with Paul Simon included. It is also included in their concert. A Google search provides a few options for the second half of the first line "they are rockin' even me," my choice, and "easily." I couldn't pick it out on the dvd, but I hear an "l" in there so I'm going with the "evenly." I thought it might be "rocky kneed and lean." Probably not. Welcome Dragonfly.

Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself. I am large, I contain multitudes.

I'm happy this week is over now. I realize it was only the last three days that made it annoying (Tuesday was great), but still, it is frustrating to be the cause and victim of your problems. Why do I stay up til 3am? Oh well.

I went to Scrumpy Jack's last night after work and had a scotch on the rocks, DeWar's, with my grilled Atlantic salmon on a cucumber salad with a red wine reduction. I just don't enjoy spirits like I do beer. It did take the edge off, though, which helped me to enjoy the basketball games much more.

The Campion-College View game was a real nail-biter. Brian Panovec, from CVA, stole the ball and made a lay-up with 8 seconds to go to put CVA ahead, by one, for the first time since the middle of the second quarter. On the subsequent possession, Campion player McTaggert made a three-pointer to put them ahead by two. Then as the clock ran out, Brian Bailey for CVA was fouled shooting a three. He made the first one, the second one rolled around dramatically and fell out. Campion called time out, presumably to "ice" him. Then, he made the final free throw to send the game to a four minute overtime.

At the end of overtime CVA was down by two points in the closing seconds and Brian Bailey threw up this horrible three point shot that banked in to give them the lead. Campion some how managed to call timeout with .8 seconds remaining. Their final attempt to inbound the ball failed, and we'll see the rematch on Saturday night.

Tonight I watched Chopper with Eric Bana. There seems to be a trend for Australian actors, Bana, Crowe, Gibson, Pearce, to first play a violent criminal in an Aussie film before hitting the US screens. This does make a smidgen of sense when you remember that they are just a bunch of criminals to start with.

This same logic applies to our Red State. Those Puritans make the mullahs seem like timid prevaricators.

Ceri and Scott

meet Mike and Melanie. Ceri, you are the only person who craves Danish pastries when hearing about cultural wars that endanger poor embassy workers. Scott you are denying your heritage.

Mike and Melanie are my dealers for etymology. After quite a hiatus they are back at it. I've been with them since issue 64 or so, they're now on 201.

A Day That Is for Scott a Happy One

Happy Birthday Scott.

I was realizing that, in our blogging community, Amy, Angela, and Georgie Sue are the only ones that have known you longer than me. Oh, and Ben Yancer, but he knew you non-contiguously. And I almost forgot Brett. So I guess I only know you 6th best outta everyone. Not that time means anything. By the way, you're getting really old. Seriously, you should think about taking out your 401K and getting a prescription for Metamucil.

The Circle Is Unbroken

I watched Thumbsucker tonight. In an apparent conspiracy, they also featured a couple artists for their soundtrack: The Polyphonic Spree and Elliot Smith. It relates to the rest of the world, though, when Elliot Smith covers Cat Stevens' "Trouble" which is also prominent in Harold and Maude. Harold and Maude brings us to Bud Cort, who cameoed in one of the last (hopefully just til someone else picks them up) episodes of Arrested Development. They had a tv show called Judge Reinhold, starring Judge Reinhold; when that fell through they tried a trial show called Bud Cort, starring Bud Cort. Any who have seen The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou might remember that the bond agent from the production company (the accountant who is taken hostage) is also Bud Cort. Bud Cort also does a fine job in a great ensemble performance in The Million Dollar Hotel, one of Klaralyn Gatz' favorites. Speaking of Steve Zissou, "Bill Murray" is a track on Gorillaz Feel Good Inc. EP.

GOOD NIGHT NOW!

Forbidden Fruit Creates Many Jams

I thought this was to advertise a church bake sale. I'm a moron.

"If I had a minute for every hour I wasted, I would be rich in time." --Jack Johnson

Kayla was right about Jack's new album. It is great; at least it was great for the film, just like Simon and G-funk and Cat Stevens. I went to Match Point, Woody Allen's latest and best in a while. Then while leaving, I ducked into the theatre for Curious George and took in two films for the price of one matinee.

My day is full. I started at the CVC Pathfinder Valentine's Pancake Brunch, with a teddy bear pancake even. Then an hour at Barnes before the two films. Then the Racquet Club to work out, then Jade Rivers, a new Chinese buffet for crab, mussel, and steak. Then, hopefully the highlight of the day, whipping up some "Deep Dark Chocolate Ice Cream" for my ice cream maker.

More on Match Point, I found myself rooting for a character who was very morally objectionable. Why? Why does Allen write such a film? Bytheby, Allen has the best opening and closing credits ever.

"You are always welcome in any gathering." --my fortune at Jade Rivers

"She was your third date!"

I watched Harold and Maude on Thursday night. I liked it. It was quirky. It is a nice love story, probably more perverse than anything Anne Proulx could come up with.

What really grabbed me, though, was the soundtrack from Cat Stevens. He did for this movie what Simon and Garfunkel did for The Graduate four years earlier in 1967, and Harry Nilsson's "Everybody's Talking at Me" for Midnight Cowboy in 1969. And according to Kayla, Jack Johnson will do for Curious George.

Glaucus

PS I just finished Chung King Express, another Wong Kar Wai film. I liked the second story, of the two that comprised the film, better. It had Tony Leung, who I've always enjoyed.

I'm not Remiss

I find it interesting that Bank of the West is right across the street from Taco del Mar. By the way, Taco del Mar is no Chipotle nor Oso Burrito, nor Qdoba.

The Huskers lost their last home dual of the year against Oklahoma tonight. But I did get to do some catching up with another old schoolmate from Doland, Jason LaBrie. He went to University of Mary, in Bismarck, where he wrestled. He was ranked #1 in the NAIA his Junior and Senior years, with 2nd and 4th place finishes at nationals. He is now between medical rotations in his last year of med school.

Conversational Cul de sac

Here on the shore of Baltimore observing the barrage of rockets and bombs from the man o'war,
The gunnery mates stripp'd to the waist and glistening with sweat,
Shouting each to the other and working together in close drill,
Ramming the powder charge and then the enormous projectile,
Each of them a man like myself and possessed of secret longings,
Each of them comely and well-appointed,
Especially the tall one on the left with black curls and taut abdominal muscles,
Who looks so long and lovingly at me, a stranger in big boots,
And I return his gaze--O aficionado, come, take my hand--
Leave your cannonading and we shall travel the open road
Where there are no banners except of affection and the love of dear comrades.

--WW

Whose flag this is I think I know
His house is being bombed now though
He will not see that I have come
To watch the twilight's ebbing glow.

My little horse must think it dumb,
The cannons' pandemonium,
The rockets bursting in the air,
The sound of bugle, fife, and drum,

He turns and shakes his derriere
To show me that he doesn't care
Who takes this battle flag or why,
When in the redness of the glare

I see the banner flying high
Through the tumult in the sky
And, knowing all is now okay,
We walk away, my horse and I.

The flag is lovely, hip hooray,
But I have things to do today,
Some here and others far away,
Before I stop to hit the hay.

--Robert Frost

She being brand
New he threw
A flag over h
Er & began
The bombard
Ment & was soon
Rocketing
A (long) & feeling
Braveandfreeand(proudly)perilous
Can you see? Said he
Oui oui, said she
And it was love and it was
Spring and roses and it was
Dawn &
He
B
U
R
S
T
Into song.

--E.E. Cummings

That's all I've got. I'd be interested in what someone who is good at poetry could do with just words five letters or less. It is my obstruction for them.

Sartonsorial concerns

Tonight I watched The Five Obstructions by Lars von Trier, Danish director. In it, he has Jorgen Leth, director of The Perfect Human, remake his film with limits/obstructions. Example: the first obstruction is that the film must be made in Cuba, no set is made, the questions asked in the narrative are answered, and each edit can only be 12 frames long. I liked it. Ask Ellen what she thought.

As Bryant alluded to, I can shave now that Ben Roethlisberger won the Super Bowl. He had the fortune? of having his chin fuzz groomed by the non pareil David Letterman.

G'night now.

Hines Ward (who plays at Heinz Field. I ask you is he the Hines Warden of Heinz Field.)

As Per Bryant

This is just to say
I have taken
The flag
That was
Flying

And which
You probably expected
To see
This morning

Forgive me
It was beautiful
So free
And so brave

--William Carlos Williams

Up in the night to piss
Saw the flag
Stripes & stars
Reflected in the stream
& in the morning
Still there

--Gary Snyder

The Banner--that we watched in Air
So Proudly as it Gleamed
Was Proven by the Rocket Glare
Or so to us it Seemed--

And so we waited for the Dawn
To see if it still flew
Or if--in Tatters--it is Gone--
As happened once--with You.

I woke up--at the Matin Bell--
A vast and empty Bed--
The Pillow bore--the slightest smell
Of Oil--from your Head.

A fleeting Phantasy--perhaps--
The Ghost of--Not To Be--
And Postmen--in their Crimson Caps--
Aim their Artillery.

--Emily Dickinson

I'm watching Punch-Drunk Love on TV. This is about the third or fourth time I've seen it, and I really like it. One of the things that first caught me was Shelley Duvall singing "He Needs Me" from the Popeye movie she did as Olive Oyl. Kudos to Paul Thomas Anderson.

Barry Egan Lena Leonard

"I'm only sleeping"

Yea, music!

Today at the post office (College View), Rick one of the postal clerks had The Beatles playing on their looping video of a flag. It was nice. Then driving home from work I was listening to KRNU, and I now know why Ellen likes Calexico so. The followed them up with Flaming Lips "She Don't Use Jelly", Death Cab For Cutie "Soul Meets Body" and then Spoon and The Strokes. Musically inspired, I got home, crawled in my bed, and listened to The Postal Service, then Revolver and Rubber Soul. What a pleasant way to spend two and a half hours, music and sleep.

Earlier today I was talking to LP about when I should shave, since it's been over two weeks since I last did so. I said I would shave when Ben Roethlisberger won the Super Bowl. I am really hoping he wins this Sunday then, instead of next year. As Lindsay said, "It would be another year of being single."

Lofa Tatupu Troy Polamalu

The Anthem

On the ship, I sit and wait for the dawn
In the midst of the bombs and rockets and so forth,
A prisoner of these British marines who might shoot me,
You never know in a situation like this.

Like so many great moments in history,
You come upon it without meaning to.
You're a lawyer who goes to negotiate for the release of a prisoner
And voila you become one yourself.

There is this incredibly perious fight going on
And I suppose a person should be thinking about freedom
Or bravery but I must admit
I would give anything for a cup of coffee right now.

Like a Starbucks made by a girl in a striped blouse,
A latte streaming and gleaming.
But that seems less likely at the moment
Than Betsy Ross doing a striptease, stripe by stripe.

The graceful arc of the rockets, like Don
Larsen's curve ball for the Bronx Bombers.
He was a hero and then suddenly he was gone.
I wonder what's going to happen to that flag.

Somebody could write a poem about this,
Something to mark this whole thing that's going on,
But if they did, probably they shouldn't include
The coffee and the part about Betsy dropping the flag.

--Billy Collins

Actually it was Garrison Keillor impersonating Billy in the latest issue of The Atlantic. If you would like to see his impersonation of Whitman, Dickinson, Frost, Cummings, Carlos Williams, or Snyder, let me know I'll be happy to include them here.

Lindsay Peterson (LP) is the one that shared the wisdom with me the other day. She works and learns at AdventSource, while attending CVA.