a little political, a little philosophic
but not much, i promise. especially not on the philosophic.
<lj-cut text="politically corrected">
a lot of political moves have been pulled out of the hat over the past few days… some intentional, some accidental. johnny cochran died of a brain tumor, sen. howell heflin died, terry schiavo died. i have different opinions of them all. johnny cochran, apparently a brilliant mind… he got OJ off the hook. i still have no clue how he did it. heflin was an interesting man. i remember him when i was little, but he's been out of politics since i've began caring. so, the proverbial out of sight, out of mind begins to linger. i do know that he was acclaimed to be 'a man of the common man.' i don't know how true it is… a comment like that from a politician can make anyone a skeptic. i know there are some who can do it. i do know that i'm even a little more skeptical of heflin's influence after yesterday's news report on abc 33/40. they got remarks from roy moore, about how he adored heflin. geez… they just had to make the situation worse. terry schiavo is now in the books for me as a big deal, and not for the obvious… but for the judicial aspect of it. i don't want to get into who was right or wrong or whatever. to me, it was up to the state, not the federal government to decide. the fed has no constitutional power to deal with it. it amazed me that the supreme court, especially the current one of seeming extreme conservatism, had chosen multiple times to not hear the case. and then, a concurrence from a federal judge yesterday exercised the power of judicial review and claimed the legislation that was passed unconstitutional. i feel like i was the only one who noticed. i'm glad to know that there are judges who put personal feelings aside and do their job, as slated by the constitution.
today i heard that rudy guiliani has taken a huge seat in the world of law… completely the opposite side of what he's hoping for in 2008, the presidential nomination for the republican party. guiliani seems like a great guy, especially with what he did with new york, through the september 11 and all. but, to me, becoming a practicing lawyer again isn't the way there. not that i'd vote for him, but it doesn't make sense to me. i'm still trying to figure out who the blues are gonna throw out for nomination or even a slight hint of a group. there have been names thrown around, i'm sure… ahhhhh. too soon to think about it.
but apparently, the GOPs are going nuts with the whole social security thing and the immigration issues. it's turning ugly. let's just hope that it doesn't get as ugly as that russian parliamentary fight that broke out yesterday. that was a little frightening. can you imagine if that ever broke out in the senate? the house, i could totally see, but the senate? it's too extreme of a thought.
</lj-cut>
<lj-cut text="philosophy from the soul">
i didn't work on my papers yesterday. i probably should… get to thinking a little bit about what it would have been like if civil rights were pushed harder or less… and if the bay of pigs would have been successful or never happened. how would the world be different? or better yet, what would it have been like if one person were out of the mix? what if MLK were never a part of the action? or shuttlesworth? or if kennedy had lost the election of 1960? what if oswald would've never shot out the book depository window? would the world be better or worse? it's the world of 'what if' that is so easy to do.
i do know that as much as i hate writing, i'm really enjoying reading the different thoughts and opinions on the subjects. it's amazing to see the whole picture, culture in the background and all. it's really eye-opening, and makes me a little more conscious of how i view things… not just on what i've always been told, but to gather more info to make a clearer picture.
</lj-cut>
for now, i'm going to be deliberate about working. i've got a 12-page magazine to put together, as well as an 8-page annual report for work. then, it's home to read about my main man, kennedy. don't hate… i know you wish you were me. 
where it's at…
i got 2 turntables and a microphone…
there's no way that you can't have a good time when that song comes on. today for the drive home, they were pulling the old school music out from nowhere. the good news??? no luka today on the radio, thank God! but, i fear that it may be because the X officially moves channels tomorrow at noon. OR, it could be that she's GONE! woohooo… little dance of joy. sorry, that wasn't nice.
speaking of radio, rumor has it that beaner & ken are gonna be back on in the 'ham. of course, they're not broadcasting from here, but from syracuse. bummer for that, but it will be great to have them back. i've missed the humor. no clue when they'll go back on air though.
tell me this. how can you have a sticker on your car that says, 'hang up and drive,' and then be talking on your cell phone when i pass you? i just thought that was a little humorous on my drive home.
my scenes on the way home and out have changed. the city-wide famous 'breakfast house' caught fire this past weekend. there's something different every day at the building, whether its police 'do not cross' tape, or boards on the doors, or a new area i didn't notice catch fire. i'm determined to find something new each time i pass now.
ok, papers are calling… but so is a nap. what to do, what to do…
nothing but a blur
<lj-cut text="can you sharpen it?">
today has been a bit of a blur. i've had a splitting headache all day. it's died down a bit, but it's still a dull pain. and that's not cool. i think it's from too much mexican. and no, not the margaritas.
my presentation went as well as it could, minus the fact that i could never convey what i was trying to really say. that is horrible. i mean, come on… i'm a communicator by profession. i felt like a failure. but everyone said that the presentation went well. who knows… i can only hope for the best.
my lunches this week have been a highlight. i got to hang and chat with drew yesterday and franklin today. good stuff. thanks fellas.
there is nothing in my head today. i'm making it a point to quit trying to think so hard about things at times. it only makes me more paranoid or analytical. i need less of that. i like the simplicity. dang it, i just realized a big something i forgot this morning.
ok, so… consider yourself invited. bellbottoms, april 9 at 8 p.m. say my name and the door and come hang. in fact, come and dance… the world needs more joy on the dancefloor freestyling to the sounds of the 70s, 80s and 90s. it is a great thing. so, next weekend is planned for you, without thought… will hoge and marc broussard on friday night, bellbottoms on saturday night. you'll have a blast, i'm sure. 
i saw my 11th grade english teacher again yesterday at the library. he's too strange. but, i'm finally done with the research part… now i just have to write.
can i tell you how weird this morning was? chris, a guy i dated last year, IM'd me at work this morning, and was so strange. it was weird. i can't describe it. it was like he had something to say, but never did. and i have a sneaking suspicion that he wanted to hang out. but, i'm not… he'd want me to drive to marshall county, on off time… no way. i don't want to hang out with him. he's not a bad person. but, i just would rather invest my time elsewhere, not in the meth capital of alabama. and i'm not speaking methodist.
today in servant ministries, we had to do an exercise to practice listening. we had to build lego structures by listening to the builder, without looking. it was hard as crap. even harder when you were trying to explain it and couldn't just show it. so, in short… listen well, folks. we'd all be better off. not that you're a bad listener. i don't know. you're reading, not listening. but on my listening end, the eels are rockin' it out.
this had nothing to say. i feel bad that i wasted minutes of your day to hear about me playing with legos. it's a pitiful shame. but it did mean a lot that you wasted it on my behalf. i know that doesn't mean much. but, thanks for listening/reading. </lj-cut>
gasoline isn't so bad now…
<lj-cut text="Compared with Gasoline … Think a gallon of gas is expensive?">
Diet Snapple 16 oz $1.29 ……. $10.32 per gallon
Lipton Ice Tea 16 oz $1.19 ………$9.52 per gallon
Gatorade 20 oz $1.59 ….. $10.17 per gallon
Ocean Spray 16 oz $1.25 . $10.00 per gallon
Brake Fluid 12 oz $3.15 . $33.60 per gallon
Vick's Nyquil 6 oz $8.35 …. $178.13 per gallon
Pepto Bismol 4 oz $3.85 …. $123.20 per gallon
Whiteout 7 oz $1.39 …….. .. $25.42 per gallon
Scope 1.5 oz $0.99 …….$84.48 per gallon
And this is the REAL KICKER…
Evian water 9 oz $1.49……….$21.19 per gallon?!
So, the next time you're at the pump, be glad your car doesn't run on
water, Scope, or Whiteout, or God forbid Pepto Bismal or Nyquil.
Just a little humor to help ease the pain of your next trip to the
pump…
</lj-cut>
mexican kind of lifestyle
ok, so seriously, i must stop eating mexican food. for one thing, it's horrible for my diet. in fact, i've not lost lately, but gained. secondly, i always want a margarita to go with it. that is sad, isn't it? not that i've had one every time i've eaten mexican. whatever. i do know that i can make a good one though… i made my first batch of them last night. they were great!
my mexican food list:
wednesday: lunch at rojo, dinner at mexico lindo
friday: dinner at mexico lindo
sunday: lunch at el carreton
monday: homemade fajitas for girls night at mollie's
tuesday: lunch at moe's, staff girls night at la paz
in hindsight, that may be too much mexican for me. definitely for the diet. anyways… at least it was good.
<lj-cut text="libraries and canterbury tales">
i saw my 11th grade english and latin teacher yesterday when i went to the library. it was so funny… the man has never changed. the greatest thing is to hear that teachers keep up with you even when you're not around. he knew that i was at canterbury, going to uab… all from the dang article. which, i guess it's good. it made me laugh to see him. it was like a reunion all over again. i did see what david said i would, homeless all around. but it didn't bother me too much. i even gave one of them the time when he asked. he smiled gratefully, and it made my heart smile.
can i tell you how much i love the research library across the street though? wow… i felt like i was in heaven.
so, my papers and their topics are coming along nicely. i've doubled up in a way for my topics. my civil rights paper will be on kennedy and his involvement in the birmingham civil rights movement. my modern europe paper will be on the cold war and the result of the bay of pigs and kennedy's 'final failure' in the soviet union. is that cheating that i'm using kennedy books for both? i hope not. i've got one more afternoon (today) to spend at the library, and i'll finish the rest of the week with writing. that's the easy part to me. for my tests this semester that have been all writing, i've b.s.'d with the best of 'em… and i fared well. maybe it's not b.s. after all, though. maybe i actually know it. that's the scary part.
things have been crazy around here today. meetings, meetings.. i'm meeting with our children's ministry to get an article done for the canterburian. i have a meeting today for stewardship, in which i'm designing a new magazine to go out quarterly. that's fun. and then tomorrow morning, we have our presentation for the closed circuit t.v. setup that we need the decor committee to approve so that we can hang flat panel t.v.'s on several walls of the church. i've got to finish up the presentation with the mpg of what will go on the screens. should be good stuff… as long as everyone is ready and willing. but i'm not thinking they will be. tomorrow afternoon is servant leaders meeting, which reminds me i need to finish stuff for it.
</lj-cut>
anyways. today has been theoretically boring, although i've had stuff to do. i'm feeling social today, unlike usual mornings. but i'm about to go have lunch, so maybe that will make it better. but then i have to come back for 2 meetings. bah. at least the music is good…
english genius?
<lj-cut text="apparently so…">
<table align="center" cellpadding="20"> <tbody><tr> <td align="center"> <font size="5"><b>English Genius</b></font><br> You scored 100% Beginner, 100% Intermediate, 93% Advanced, and 82% Expert! </td> </tr> <tr> <td> You did so extremely well, even <i>I</i>
can't find a word to describe your excellence! You have the uncommon
intelligence necessary to understand things that most people don't. You
have an extensive vocabulary, and you're not afraid to use it properly!
Way to go!
<p>
Thank you so much for taking my test. I hope you enjoyed it!
</p>
<p>
For the complete Answer Key, visit my blog: http://shortredhead78.blogspot.com/. </p></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <br><br><br> <table cellpadding="20"> <tbody><tr> <td> <span id="comparisonarea">My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people <i>your age and gender</i>:<blockquote><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="4"><tbody><tr><td valign="middle"><table bgcolor="black" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="1"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#b2cfff" height="20" width="93"><img src="http://is3.okcupid.com/graphics/0.gif"></td><td bgcolor="white" width="57"><img src="http://is3.okcupid.com/graphics/0.gif"></td></tr></tbody></table></td><td valign="middle">You scored higher than <b>62%</b> on <b>Beginner</b></td></tr><tr><td valign="middle"><table bgcolor="black" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="1"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#b2cfff" height="20" width="107"><img src="http://is3.okcupid.com/graphics/0.gif"></td><td bgcolor="white" width="43"><img src="http://is3.okcupid.com/graphics/0.gif"></td></tr></tbody></table></td><td valign="middle">You scored higher than <b>71%</b> on <b>Intermediate</b></td></tr><tr><td valign="middle"><table bgcolor="black" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="1"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#b2cfff" height="20" width="71"><img src="http://is3.okcupid.com/graphics/0.gif"></td><td bgcolor="white" width="79"><img src="http://is3.okcupid.com/graphics/0.gif"></td></tr></tbody></table></td><td valign="middle">You scored higher than <b>47%</b> on <b>Advanced</b></td></tr><tr><td valign="middle"><table bgcolor="black" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="1"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#b2cfff" height="20" width="128"><img src="http://is3.okcupid.com/graphics/0.gif"></td><td bgcolor="white" width="22"><img src="http://is3.okcupid.com/graphics/0.gif"></td></tr></tbody></table></td><td valign="middle">You scored higher than <b>85%</b> on <b>Expert</b></td></tr></tbody></table></blockquote></span> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table cellpadding=20><tr><td>Link: <a href='http://www.okcupid.com/tests/take?testid=14457200288064322170'>The Commonly Confused Words Test</a> written by <a href='http://www.okcupid.com/profile?tuid=577245280159428717'>shortredhead78</a> on <a href='http://www.okcupid.com'>Ok Cupid</a></td></tr></table>
</lj-cut>
so should i feel good about this? i'm voting yes.
can you cheat on a break?
ahhh… the words of classic ross are in my head, 'we were on a break!' i had a break, but not that kind. it was nice. and this week is my official spring break. too bad that i have no major plans. i'm thankful for weeks like this that allow me to catch up with school, like writing 3 papers, all 12+ pages. exciting stuff… so today, i'll be visiting the central downtown library, for yes, the first time ever. i'm kind of excited. just don't make fun. i grew up in the sticks, remember?
it's been an interesting couple of days. it seems like so long, but then, it hasn't. i've learned a lot about myself and what i can really do. it was so interesting that yesterday, when my day was up, and allowance was given back to the eljay, i didn't really get on it. i glanced for a second. however, it could have also been my addiction to any easter present to myself… the entire 6 seasons of sex and the city. i've made it up to the beginning of aiden (even though in TBS world, i've gone further). i just hope that i can stay focused this week to work on papers and not just sit down and watch t.v. but, i'm not usually too bad about it. the only 2 hours i usually give a week are to sex and the city on tuesday nights and desperate housewives on sunday nights. speaking of desperate housewives, thank God for a new episode… i seriously laughed the entire episode i think.
this easter was so weird for me. i tried really hard to see it as i always have, but i guess working outside of ministry (in a technical sense) makes you a little less aware. or maybe it's me. who knows. it was a strange easter for me. i guess i just had a lot on my shoulders this year. with graduation looming closer (if i can get financial aid in order to help me), my grandfather's health growing worse, my insatiable desire to get out and do something worth doing, a trip to DC/NY coming up, catching up with school/tests and various other small things in the mix, my mind has been in complete disarray. i've never been this un-focused before. i'm not sure what it is. but, my priorities have sort of been on jumble the past few days.
'how would this be, if i was alone tonight, and maybe then my love, everything will turn out right. i wish that this were easy but you know it never is. it seems like hearts get broken during things like this.' -will hoge
holy crap, will hoge will be in town next friday, with marc broussard. workplay… you must go. it will be a rockin' good time! get your tickets. come hang with me and deb. you won't be sorry.
i want to give a short, very small blurb… thanks to those who keep me strong, who love me when i'm me and even give me a hard time to make me try harder. i'm thankful that you have never been part of a break.
qualitative measures
<em>we might live like never before
when there's nothing to give
how can we ask for more?</em>
ahh. damien rice, master of lyrics to the soul. no real reason… i could just listen to him all day long. it's just so… yeah. i can't place words into it to justify at all. i'm gonna stop trying. really. now. done.
today is over. tomorrow begins a new week… well, today actually. but, whatever. i'm so tired… the weekend finally hit today. i went to bed around 10:15 last night, and slept all the way through the night until 8:15. it was so nice. i haven't gotten to sleep that late in a long time. it is SO sad that 8:15 is late now.
church was different today. i'm still trying to process it. it wasn't like normal church… maybe because i was in the choir today for the first time in 3 weeks. i had to talk to r.scott today about choir and other stuff. i'm taking a hiatus, albeit a small one, from praise alliance, just so i have a little more time in my week. with last week's saga and being sick, i just need some down time in the middle of the week. i'm just so thankful that he understands. AND, i had to tell him that i won't be able to sing during holy week. i don't want to miss anymore class between now and the end of the term. had i not been sick this past week, i'd have taken the miss. ok, that's boring.
i spent time with good people today… the andrews (my favorite family in the world, other than my own), and the melissas (sulli and v.hall). i also saw mollie's parents today for about 20 mins, when i had to go and re-attach myself to my straightener (i never leave home without it's usage) that i left at the church yesterday. and great folks from church too: amy, hauser, anna and lauren.
i'm on a people knowledge kick… so i have a tentative plan/theory to learn more… i found this book that i had in my YM days and i thought i'd use it. it's a book of unfinished sentences… i'll supply 'em, and it's up to you to fill 'em in… come on, just do it. you know you want to deep down inside. so, 3 to begin:
1. if mcdonald's ran the church, it would have… (come on, get creative)
2. when it's sunny outside, my favorite thing to do is…
3. my motivation in life is…
goodbye weekend, hello new week.
brides and barbecue
yay for my best friend mollie! she's hitched… and it was awesome. great ceremony, reception. it was exactly jonathon and mollie the whole day. it was fantastic.
overall, i'd say the weekend has been a blast. <lj-cut text="of course i took a few pics…">here are 2 pics from today:
me and mollie:
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v178/DMCemily/meandmollieweb.jpg">
me and the gals (me, valerie, mollie and melissa):
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v178/DMCemily/thegalsweb.jpg">
</lj-cut>
i got to see such great people today, even outside of the wedding. it made me smile… even if i looked uncomfortable sitting there tonight, it wasn't the company, it was totally the dress… and the fear that a cat was gonna make out like a bandit on it.
just a tip: don't walk into a barbecue restaurant if you're formally dressed expecting people to not gawk and giggle. i swear, i felt so out of place… but not in a weird way, in a funny way. they must always assume that you've just gone to prom or something. yes, thank you… 25 year old prom night.
great day. good stuff… now i'm crashing. sweet dreams.
and the laughter ensued.
ahhhh. today is the day. my best friend in the entire world gets hitched. and i couldn't be happier for her! yay!!!
i swear, all i have done is laugh since thursday. and dance. laugh and dance. laugh and dance. that is my life this weekend. at least it's fun…
<lj-cut text="more of mollie's festivities">so, wedding update:
yesterday afternoon was the bridesmaid tea. yeah, me=not refined. i wasn't a big fan of the tea, but the little snacks were good. but i sipped and enjoyed the day with katie and valerie on my end of the table…
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v178/DMCemily/EVKweb.jpg">
they had hats too, so of course, we tried them out. it wouldn't be an 'us' party if we didn't cause some kind of inappropriate manners…
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v178/DMCemily/teaweb.jpg">
apparently, my hat kept getting knocked as the 'clue' hat and that i murdered the butcher. ok, it's true… but don't tell, ok?
rehearsal was fun… the music is great, and the wedding party is nuts. jonathon's brothers are all-boy. they are hilarious… and all the gals have their own little quirks. i did a 'grease' move down the aisle last night. and todd and i are doing a jig down the aisle on the way out. it should be fun. i didn't take pictures, because i forgot… and who wants to be that annoying person taking pictures all the time? (like i've apparently done all weekend)</lj-cut>
bellbottoms was all that it could ever be. if you missed it, man, you're such the weirdo. brett is an AWESOME party host. i laughed so much last night… it was a blast.
so now i need to go get started with my day… i have to straighten up before i leave, get half-ready, pick up a birthday card for my dad, and get packed for the day, all before 11. then, i'm having lunch with 3 of my favorite gals in the whole world: lauren, mary and jenny! then it's off to the chapel.
congrats mollie and jonathon!
