what i lack in dedicated studying i seem to make up for with confident test taking. i listened to “for once in my life” by Stevie Wonder about 5 times on my way into school yesterday, arrived in a great mood and proceeded to kick a** on the HESI (a practice exam for the nursing state boards). Thank you to everyone who has prayed for me…I’m leaning on the faith of others….and I appreciate you.
“We are bringing Soul to the people my angel. No jury in the land would convict us.” December 31, 2006
Cars and computers fall into the category of “Things I find necessary but don’t enjoy”. I have no desire to understand the nuances of their functioning, I just want them to work when I turn them on. Today however I decided to figure out how to get my blogroll and tagline to show up…I cheated a little on the tagline and for some reason my links only show up if I catagorize them as “life” but I’m counting this as a technological victory all the same.
I’ve been keeping odd hours and living on party food for the last two weeks and it’s a greyrainyday and I got chilled walking home from Amy’s this afternoon so staying home from church and curling up with a book seems prudent. Responsible even.
Last night Kara and I went to the Magic Stick to hear Budos Band and Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings. For the second time this month I walked into a show with no idea of what to expect and I walked away wondering why these amazing musicians aren’t famous. If you’re going to take a listen (don’t miss “How long do I have to wait” SJATDK) be prepared to dance…you won’t be able to resist…nor should you.
Finished Thank You, Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse this morning. His stories poke fun at the moneyed British enjoying their last golden days before the Second World War. Hilarious, and even better read aloud. Jeeves is the indispensible valet (yes, I want to name my future dog this…though Rebecca thinks it ridiculous, and yes, the Ask Jeeves website takes their name from him as well) who manages Bertie Wooster and all his mishaps. And now an exerpt:
“The knocking, which had cased off for a moment, started again with more follow through than ever.
“Well, I suppose you had better go down,”said the girl in a subdued sort of voice. “Or,” – she seemed to brighten- “shall we pour water on him from the staircase window?”
I started violently. She had made the suggestion as if she considered it one of her best and brightest, and I suddenly realized what it meant to play the host to a girl of her temperament and personality. All that I had ever read about the reckless younger generation seemed to come back to me.
“Don’t dream of it!” I whispered urgently. “Dismiss the project utterly and absolutely from your mind.”
I mean to say, a dry J. Washburn Stoker seeking an errant daughter was bad enough. A J. Washburn Stoker stimulated to additional acerbity by a jugful of H2O on his head, I declined to contemplate.”
“Batter my heart” December 20, 2006
Since most of my days started between 5 and 6 am this semester it feels particularly decadent to be lying in bed at 10:30 enjoying the winter sunshine and doing nothing. exams…are…done.
Studying, praying and generally being quiet at the monestary was really good for me. I would not say that it was easy or comfortable though. Somewhere around noon on Saturday I realized that I had no escape from my thoughts and that I was weary of them. At home I would listen to music or clean or call friends…any number of things. So it was a little intense in that regard, but I’d recommend it. Ben, the black lab, was happy to walk me after Terce and None each day. I say that he walked me because he picked the trail and how long we stayed out for. I took my camera one day and spent some time fiddling around with bittersweet wrapped around a tree. When I got back up to the trail Ben was sitting there with an expression that said, “I don’t know what you were messing around in the bushes for because the trail is right here and I’ve been waiting for you.” He’s got personality, that one.
I was introduced to the music of Imogen Heap at the Royal Oak Music Theater the other night and it was a really good show. She’s got a website (imogenheap.com) and a my space page if you want to take a listen, but I have to say that seeing her live was incomparable.
And finally, I’ve been reading and praying some bits and scraps of John Donne. I’d like to make it to John King Books over break and find a better collection of his poetry. Here’s one of my favorites from The Holy Sonnets- 1633.
Batter my heart, three-personed God: for You
As yet but knock, breathe, shine, and seek to mend;
That I may rise and stand, o’erthrow me, ‘and bend
Your force to break, blow, burn, and make me new.
I, like an usurped town to’another due,
Labor to’admit You, but O, to no end;
Reason, Your viceroy’in me, me should defend,
But is captived, and proves weak or untrue.
Yet dearly’I love You, ‘and would be loved fain,
But am betrothed unto your enemy.
Divorce me,’untie or break that knot again;
Take me to You, imprison me, for I,
Except You’enthrall me, never shall be free,
Nor ever chaste, except You ravish me.
~
another list October 25, 2006
Disclaimer: I do not recommend that you undertake an interminable painting project, but should you find yourself in the middle of such a task then the following songs will help you ignore the fact your hand is cramping up and the paint you got on your leg has dried and now itches.
Guided by wire- Neko Case
Here it goes again- Ok Go
Lanzafame- Tap Tap
Both sides of the gun- Ben Harper
Burrito- Pete Yorn
Groove me- King Floyd
Everyday clothes- Jonathan Richman
Never know- Jack Johnson
One good year- Slaid Cleaves
Answering Bell- Ryan Adams
I was delusional to think this was a “couple days tops” project. I just painted trim for 4 hours and am perhaps 1/2 done. Perhaps.
