The Great Rift Valley

Sunday night Ross, Ben, and I went to Bay City to see Star Wars Episode III. I definitely got a lot more of the subtle things after watching episodes I and II just before.

I enjoyed the drive to Bay City and back. At first I was hesitant about driving due to the fact that there was something hanging down from the bottom of my car, but everything was alright and the drive was wet yet lovely. Driving is great and gas was $1.94 in Essexville/Bay City.

Yesterday I read A Skeleten In God's Closet and it was a nice read. Good call, Lyne!

Those four little kitties are some hard nuts to crack. They're not as afraid as the last bunch of kittens, but they're still not friendly. I can get the black one to play with me and to let me pet him sometimes, but the other three still hiss at me. Then their stupid mother, Clara, brings gross dead animal carcasses for the kitties to chew on. It's quite disgusting.

"The real hero is always a hero by mistake; he dreams of being an honest coward like everybody else."
-Umberto Eco

"Skill without imagination is craftsmanship and gives us many useful objects such as wickerwork picnic baskets. Imagination without skill gives us modern art."
-Tom Stoppard

"The heart has its reasons which reason knows nothing of."
-Blaise Pascal

Hostage To My Own Humanity

Thursday evening was fun. I went over to Vanessa's (actually Jessie's but not at the moment) and we played some classic Nintendo, which was entertaining. For one game, the names of our "heroes" were Achill and Yourmo. Then DJ came and we watched him play a stupid Nintendo game for awhile. Then there was the adventure of taco making and the seasoning of the taco meat, where there was much controversy. Dinner was followed up with some intense DDR at DJ's house. ...And then there was Spanglish. It was pretty good, but it wasn't about what I thought it was about. The movie ended sometime in the late night/early morning hours, which brings me to my next thought...

US-23 is exceedingly inviting at 3 a.m. I could've kept driving and driving and driving on that deserted road for hours, but sadly I was in need of sleep.

One conversation between Vanessa and me last night revolved around the "Hasselhoff equation", which is more commonly known as the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation. I couldn't remember the real name of it or its purpose until I looked in my chemistry book.

Clara had kittens and I'm in the process of taming them. They're cute. Two are striped, one is black with a tiny bit or orange, and the last is gray and white. So far the black one is the friendliest.

Yesterday Ross and I watched Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace and tonight Ross, Ben, and I watched Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. After the movie, we killed each other in some intense Halo. All in all, a lovely evening.

I miss the days when things were simple, when things made sense. Now everything is wrong. People aren't like they're supposed to be and they aren't like the used to be. The latter isn't necessarily a bad thing; people are meant to grow and change... life is change. But when people aren't like they're supposed to be, when they settle for what is instead of what could be, when they let themselves drown in this world and then turn into the person that they were never meant to be... I don't know... it's just sobering and a bit sad, I suppose.

It's been over a month since I've been home. That's just insane. ...And that is all for tonight.

"You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try."
-Beverly Sills

"History is the witness that testifies to the passing of time; it illumines reality, vitalizes memory, provides guidance in daily life and brings us tidings of antiquity."
-Cicero

"Pray that your loneliness may spur you into finding something to live for, great enough to die for."
-Dag Hammarskjold

No Fear or Compromise

Last night I had some weird dreams. In one of them, Jen Beardsley was married to David James Elliot. Then right before I woke up, I dreamed that Jen, Kev, and I were singing "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" while sitting on my bed, and then I had that song in my head all morning.

I killed a spider a couple days ago and it squirted spider guts. Gross.

Whatever radio station that they have on at the place where I work plays "Saturday In The Park" frequently.

I got some books in the mail a couple days ago and that was a day brightener. I've finished reading most of them already. Today I got a poster in the mail. I love mail.

"You can't do anything about the length of your life, but you can do something about its width and depth."
-Evan Esar

"Drinking makes such fools of people, and people are such fools to begin with, that it's compounding a felony."
-Robert Benchley

"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it."
-Aristotle

Battle of the Heroes

I have learned to do things without using my thumb. Ever since I sliced the tip open, it's been necessary for me to find alternate methods of doing things, and now I'm rather skilled in living without the use of my thumb. But now I've decided to try life without the bandaid, so we'll see how that goes.

After seeing Revenge of the Sith Saturday with Ryan, my opinion of Darth Vader changed. I couldn't help thinking about poor Anakin while watching episodes IV, V, and VI. Episode III really brings everything together. I think it's my favorite of the newest three and Return of the Jedi is my favorite of the old three.

Potluck at church was nice, but everyone always rushes off afterwards. Ross, Ben, and I had a little Star Wars marathon this afternoon/evening. Ben's kittens are cute. Ben's a smart one... he likes cats more than dogs. I love cats.

"It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not."
-Andre Gide

"Try as hard as we may for perfection, the net result of our labors is an amazing variety of imperfectness. We are surprised at our own versatility in being able to fail in so many different ways."
-Samuel McChord Crothers

"It is better to sleep on things beforehand than lie awake about them afterward."
-Baltaser Gracian

Cynical and Sarcastic... but you know you love me anyway

Wednesday I woke up very early to go to Walmart with Lyne. That was quite fun. Then I read a book and went to the band concert. By the time I got home, I was dead tired and it was only 9:30. Yesterday I hung out with Vanessa and Aaron... it brought back memories of old times.

I took an IQ test this morning. It came out as 140, but we all know how inaccurate those online tests can be.

This afternoon was work followed by the Jazz Band's chicken BBQ. Work was annoying but nothing too bad. The BBQ was fun, especially the conversation with Andrew and the bits and pieces from Ryan, Ben, and BethAnne. I didn't see much of Ross.

For the last post and for this post as I was looking for quotes, I realized that I recognized many of them, not because they are popular but because I had read the books that they came from. It makes me feel educated.

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."
-Henry David Thoreau

"If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want, and all that is left is a compromise."
-Robert Fritz

"It is hard enough to remember my opinions, without also remembering my reasons for them!"
-Friedrich Nietzsche

Life is a long lesson in humility.

Yesterday I read A Wrinkle In Time for about the bazillionth time. I started it a few days ago, but I could've finished it in an hour or so but there were many interrruptions. I noticed that there are many Bible verses quoted throughout... I never realized that before. I read A Wind In The Door and Many Waters today. They are all very easy and quick reads... very simple.

Apparently I will begin working Friday afternoon. If anyone knows of any other job openings, TELL ME! I loathe the place where I am currently employed.

Tomorrow should prove to be interesting or at least more eventful than usual.

"Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counsellors, and the most patient of teachers."
-Charles W. Eliot

"In mathematics you don't understand things. You just get used to them."
-Johann von Neumann

"Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped."
-Elbert Hubbard

Movies are wonderful things.

I was going to go to the car thing yesterday, but Ross talked me out of it. Later that night, Ross and I rented and watched Raising Helen and Hidalgo. I enjoyed both of them. Sadly, Ross didn't make it through the last one.

This afternoon the phone rang and it was Lyne, but it took me a minute to realize who it was even after she said her name. I guess I was in a kind of trance. Apparently someone called for my mom that morning too and I answered and talked but then when they called back that evening I had no recollection of the precious phone call. Ah, oh well. Anyway, I had lunch with Lyne and that was nice. We ate at American Pie, where Lyne is apparently a regular, and the food wasn't bad.

A couple nice little quotes from Raising Helen:
-------
Jenny: I think this is lead paint, kids don't chew the windowsill!
Helen: Yeah, stick to the table legs like I taught you.
-------
Jenny: (as she knits on the couch) You know, a lot of celebrities are knitting now.
Jenny: (later, as Jaguar drives into their driveway) Who do we know that owns a Jaguar?
Jenny's Husband: Maybe it's a celebrity coming to knit with you.

Soon we must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy...

Blogging is not a fad... blogging is a way of life.

Yesterday I went with my aunt to Tawas for lunch (a.k.a. Burger King) and Oscoda for shopping (a.k.a. K-Mart). Thankfully, she let me drive. I don't think I could've handled her driving. I was looking forward to the shopping even though it was just K-Mart. I haven't been shopping in forever. But then K-Mart didn't have anything I wanted and so I bought an AC adapter for the Dell's speakers and I bought some graduation presents for people. Then I talked with a Lions lady in the entrance to K-Mart for a while.

Ryan and I went to Tawas yesterday evening for some fun hang-out time, which included Pizza Hut, Kicking & Screaming, and a Brownie Batter Blizzard from Dairy Queen. It was all quite enjoyable.

My uncle John and my grandmother were here last night. Fun times.

Today was nothing special. The highlight of my day was putting Microsoft Office on the Dell and then figuring out the music for this one movie trailer on the piano. It's not exactly correct but it's quite close and it sounds good too.

My head hurts, but I took some Tylenol, so it should be getting better soon.

Here, Take This Lovely Flower

Last night I went to Hale's band concert with Ross. It was nothing short of torture. The songs could hardly be called music and so it was not exactly an enjoyable hour and a quarter, but not being able to make audible comments about it for fear of retaliation from the crowd, which had to have been composed of family members of the band because no one else would be stupid enough to go to that thing, was just as bad. What baffles me is why didn't she have them play stuff they could play instead of letting them play music that was obviously beyond them, some of which they couldn't play to speed and most of which was horribly out of tune. The 6th grade band, a type of band which is usually not the most fun thing to listen to, was worse than Au Gres's 5th grade band has ever been. They weren't playing right notes or remotely in tune or together or anything. And so I thought, 'it can only get better from here,' but then at the end of the 6th grade set, they played "Let's Go Blue" and totally ruined it. It was upsetting hearing what can be such a joyous and wonderous thing when played by the UM marching band murdered by smelly, ugly, sorry excuses for 6th grade band members. The rest of the concert wasn't much better though. There was a nice trumpet solo played by Ross's friend Beth, but then the flute duet left much to be desired. Oh, and there were only 14 people in the high school band.

My parents went to Standish and Pinconning this evening. How exciting. I gave them instructions to buy me stuff.

I get to enjoy a nice afternoon with my aunt Agnes tomorrow. Oh joy.

Ugh. I just found out who Au Gres High School's 2005 valedictorian is and it's not pleasant. Yuck.

Good news! I have listened to almost every song on my iTunes... all 471 songs, 1.2 days worth. Impressive, I know. Many I have listened to more than once. Plus, I shutdown and restarted my laptop and now it's better and not as annoying.

As I have nothing interesting to impart to all you lovely readers, I will now desist.

Lucidity

I've only been home for two weeks but it feels like forever. My parents are dumb. I believe last night was the first major fight of the summer between me and them. ARG, they make me so mad!

I have this strange thing where I recognize people's voice before I recognize their face, usually on TV or a movie rather than in real life though.

Yesterday was entirely uneventful (Pocahontas, music, internet, solitaire). Today looks as though it will follow suit. Maybe something will happen this evening to break up the monotony. Maybe it will be better when Vanessa gets here.

Milk... I wonder why milk is the liquid that is put on cereal...

One Sock, Two Sock, Red Sock, Blue Sock

I'm so incredibly annoyed. I wrote an entire blog on my other computer, but when I went to transfer it to the one connected to the internet, it wouldn't work. I'm annoyed but if I find out that it was someone messing around with this computer when he shouldn't have touched it since it's not his at all, I will be very very angry. ...and it's not like it was a nice little compact post either. Well, I suppose I have no other choice but to type it out again.

Anyway, the title refers to what I was chanting to myuself yesterday afternoon as I was digging through the pile of nice, clean socks on my bedroom floor.

I don't like disturbing things. They are thoroughly disturbing. Blood, physchos, murders, and whatnot don't bother me a bit, but disturbing is nto something I enjoy.

A nice little quote:
"just because you have the emotional range of a teaspoon doesn't mean we all have." -Hermione to Ron in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.


Now that I have read all of the currently published Harry Potter books (yes, all 2689 pages), I can give my collective thoughts of them, which may contain some little (or not so little) spoilers for those who have not yet read them. But, by all means, read on. I personally love spoilers; I can't take the suspense of having to sit and wait to read what happens and, during the Harry Potter books, I would frequently find myself not reading the pages fdrom yop to bottom but instead skipping around within the page, unable to keep myself from glancing ahead... kind of like a "two steps forward, one step back" method of reading. But anyway...

First of all, I think that anyone who judged these books without reading them is an ignorant fool. Just because these books deal with magic is no reason to cause an uproar, especially without reading them. If you've read them, by all means go ahead and roar all you want. Books such as The Chronicles of Narnia and Lord of the Rings were not nearly as controversial as Harry Potter, though all are clearly within the bounds of the fantasy genre and are read by children. That said, my own preconceived ideas frequently shifted as I made my way through the five Harry Potter books.

The first two books differed only slightly from the movies and so, though quite good, were not as captivating as perhaps they could have been. Now having read all five books, I feel as though the first two were light and entertaining compared to the rest, with book three being a transition book to the progressively darker books four and five, which at times bordered on disturbing. Book four's ending was completely unsatisfying and it took all of book five, whose content was no more satisfying than the previous book's conclusion, to rectify the ending of book four. Books five was almost literally painful to read; Harry's confusion, his anger and rage at all of the injustice, and his intense sadness when Sirius dies was hard to stomach. Frequently when I would put the book, I would be in a bad mood with residual anger from the book in my mind. I was quite upset and angry when I found out the Sirius died in book five and it was then that I felt like quitting, putting down the book because I no longer had the desire to continue. Not only were the characters in the book treating Harry horribly but then Sirius's death was thrown in on top of everything. I could not and still can not see the reasoning behind it or the need for it. What was the point of book three if Sirius was just going to get killed off in book five? Maybe I will just have to hope beyond hope that Sirius is not actually gone for good.

I'm not sure what my final conclusion is about these books. They were good and yet I feel as though I could quit right now and be fine with never reading the last two books, because it feels as though there is nothing good left to look forward to, as though all the good and fun has gone. But I suppose that I will still be waiting expectantly for the next book and the next movie.


Finishing a good book always leaves a hole behind. What will I put where there was once hours upon hours of reading? Where will my mind go when there's no longer another world to travel to through the pages of a book? What will I do when I no longer have someone else's (albeit made-up) life to indulge in? When those hours where I have lost my grip on reality are gone and it feels as though no book could possibly take the place of the one that was just finished, what will I do? I'm suffering withdrawal and it's depressing.

Life In Boring A-Town

Not much happens here in Au Gres. I suppose I miss a lot by not being connected to everyone through school anymore. Ross is the only one I've seen since I got home over a week ago except for a quick greeting from BethAnne at the voice show tonight and some small talk with Ben and Lyne. Maybe if I got out more I'd see more people, but there's no were to get out to.

My parents keep bugging me about my job. Maybe if I keep ignoring them I won't have to actually go through with it and get a job. I suppose it would be nice to have some money though.

It's nice to be able to read whatever I want whenever I want. Reading is a wonderful thing... except the book I'm reading now kind of annoys me and tends to put me in a bad mood because the protagonist is having a horrible time of it. But, still, YOU SHOULD ALL READ MORE! All I ever do is read these days. With no homework and no upcoming exams and no stress, this life of mine is really becoming quite boring, not that it was ever completely not boring. I feel useless... a space and oxygen waster. A job would not be bad right about now if it was one I enjoyed.

The voice show tonight was ok. I rated every singer and song on a scale of 1-5:
5 - very good
4 - good
3 - above average
2 - average
1 - earplugs please!
There was only one song that I thought was really extremely bad, but I won't say whose it was. I thought Alecia, Jenny, and Breanna (and also Jessica I suppose) were quite good. Ross's solo was nice and his first high note was wonderful.

I really need to get on a "back at home" sleep schedule again.

Apple juice in a Smurf glass.

Here I am again. I'm still in Grand Rapids. This afternoon I went to the mall with Jenny Lunger from college, who lives here in GR. I saw plenty of things that I wanted, but I didn't buy anything. It was quite a splendid enjoyable time.

This afternoon I finished the third Harry Potter book. They are surprisingly good, but I don't think I lost much from watching the movies first. I think one of the things that makes them good is that the mystery of Harry's life, past, and future is revealed to the reader as it's revealed to Harry. You never know more about Harry than Harry knows about himself (except at the beginning of the first book) and so it's as if you're living through Harry in the stories.

I don't really have much to say. I'm tired but my dumb bed is deflated. The tip of my right hand index finger was mysteriously cut today and now it's sore. Tomorrow I'm going to have to say goodbye to high speed internet yet again.

Apple juice is really good. I think it might be my favorite juice. I love apple juice. Apples are really good too. All fruit is good. I love fruit.

I had a dream last night that something happened to Angell Hall and the whole south side of it was collapsed and the pillars were fallen or broken and one was kinda half standing up and holding it up. We still had classes in the building though. I also dreamed about the cafeteria food, Rebecca and my room, and a Cru thing. It all took place after I had turned in my room key though.

Iron chef is weird.

As my feet freeze...

Saturday I finished my first book of the summer: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. As I was reading the book, I found a nice quote: "It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live." How fitting. Today I finished Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, in which I found another applicable and good quote: "It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." Now I'm reading Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. They don't really captivate me as well when I already know whats going to happen. I'm going to take a break from Harry Potter and read something else after this book.

I'm in Grand Rapids at my sister's right now... from yesterday until Wednesday evening. We met an old guy from Germany in Home Depot. It was fun talking to him. He asked me, "Sprichst du Deutsch?" and I said, "Ein bisschen," and he said, "Dass ist gut genug." It was quite interesting. Hunter the dog is cute and the two cats, Vern and Lily, are also cute and nice. I love cats.

This room that I'm sleeping in is comparable to the innermost circle of hell. It's freezing (I put my computer under the covers so it would blow its warm air on me), there's little movement (except the occasional dog or cat coming in to sniff at me and my stuff), there's a weird smell, and there's a mysterious ring of light that appears on the ceiling above my head when all the lights are off. So last night wasn't too pleasant.

JAG's series finally was last night. Harm and Mac are getting married. It was satisfying yet sad.

I found out some of my grades today. Actually, it was everything except calc. Physics, Great Books, and Campus Band were all A's, but the stupid German lady gave me an A-. Bah humbug to her.

Now that I am not at college, I have been struggling to come up with a word of the day for you, as I am not challenged in any way at home. But I have tried my best for today to come up with something. When I was at college, all I had to do was listen to the people, GSIs, professors around me and I could easily find an intriguing word to use, but now there is nothing of the sort, and so I must search.

Words of the day:
-archaic - of, relating to, or characteristic of a much earlier, often more primitive period, especially one that develops into a classical stage of civilization; no longer current or applicable, antiquated; of, relating to, or characteristic of words and language that were once in regular use but are now relatively rare and suggestive of an earlier style or period.
-exalt - to raise in rank, character, or status, elevate; to glorify, praise, or honor; to increase the effect or intensity of, heighten.
-exaltation - the act of exalting or the condition of being exalted; a state or feeling of intense, often excessive exhilaration or well-being.
-exultation - the act or condition of rejoicing greatly.