Passers-by,
Out of your many faces
Flash memories to me
Now at the day end
Away from the sidewalks
Where your shoe soles traveled
And your voices rose and blent
To form the city's afternoon roar
Hindering an old silence.
Passers-by,
I remember lean ones among you,
Throats in the clutch of a hope,
Lips written over with strivings,
Mouths that kiss only for love,
Records of great wishes slept with,
Held long
And prayed and toiled for:
Yes,
Written on
Your mouths
And your throats
I read them
When you passed by.
From Chicago Poems.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Friday, December 15, 2006
Press Release: TODAY IS THE LAST DAY
at my current job. I'm pretty darn excited. I packed up my cubicle in Chicago yesterday and flew home last night. I am just wrapping up loose ends today. woot!
Stranger than Fiction
I have already seen it twice, and while it's not the finest movie I have seen, neither it is it the most pretentious. It is a simple, dear story. I highly recommend it.
Although it is a comedy, Will Ferrell is not in his normal comedic role.
Also, check out the soundtrack featuring Spoon and my new favorite "Whole Wide World" by Wreckless Eric.
Monday, December 11, 2006
2 Nephi 26:24-25
He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation.
Behold, doth he cry unto any, saying: Depart from me? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but he saith: Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, buy milk and honey, without money and without price.
Behold, doth he cry unto any, saying: Depart from me? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but he saith: Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, buy milk and honey, without money and without price.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Changes
Just a note for those of you I haven't talked to. I just quit my current job to take a new job in a position local to the Bay Area (San Mateo, to be exact) I will finish up my current job on December 18th and start my new job on the 28th. This means:
- No more commuting to Chicago (i.e. 100% in CA except for occasional business travel)
- Less stressful consulting culture / lifestyle
- More money
It also means fewer vacation days a year, but I'm willing to compromise on something :)
If you want more details, give me a call or email me and I'll fill you in.
- No more commuting to Chicago (i.e. 100% in CA except for occasional business travel)
- Less stressful consulting culture / lifestyle
- More money
It also means fewer vacation days a year, but I'm willing to compromise on something :)
If you want more details, give me a call or email me and I'll fill you in.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Friday, December 01, 2006
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Quote of the Day
"Slowly crossing the deck from the scuttle, Ahab leaned over the side and watched how his shadow in the water sank and sank to his gaze, the more and the more that he strove to pierce the profundity. But the lovely aromas in that enchanted air did at last seem to dispel, for a moment, the cankerous thing in his soul. That glad, happy air, that winsome sky, did at last stroke and caress him; the step-mother world, so long cruel--forbidding--now threw affectionate arms round his stubborn neck, and did seem to joyously sob over him, as if over one, that however wilful and erring, she could yet find it in her heart to save and to bless. From beneath his slouched hat Ahab dropped a tear into the sea; nor did all the Pacific contain such wealth as that one wee drop."
Herman Melville, Moby Dick
Herman Melville, Moby Dick
The Melville Poems: Ode to SO
First peeping, peering round my door
now pontificating on my bed
the brilliance I have found
is bold
and dark
and wears
the slippers that I gave her
as she trips and slips about the wooden floors
of Melville
now pontificating on my bed
the brilliance I have found
is bold
and dark
and wears
the slippers that I gave her
as she trips and slips about the wooden floors
of Melville
The Melville Poems: Ode to RM
Find her in the nook
pretty shoes, curling hair
Find her in the lab
tending cells, lamenting time
Find her alone at Melville
spreading peanut butter and
singing joyously to the bread
pretty shoes, curling hair
Find her in the lab
tending cells, lamenting time
Find her alone at Melville
spreading peanut butter and
singing joyously to the bread
The Melville Poems: Ode to MH
Fresh golden sunshine
smiles, attends her as she runs
leading her back to Melville
smiles, attends her as she runs
leading her back to Melville
The Melville Poems: Untitled
The Austen-esque book
will chronicle our affairs
real and imagined
Reija's pretty prose
reads with quips and quibbles quaint
what a silly scene
Find the Melville House
Forever immortalized
just like Patty's Place
will chronicle our affairs
real and imagined
Reija's pretty prose
reads with quips and quibbles quaint
what a silly scene
Find the Melville House
Forever immortalized
just like Patty's Place
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Sunday, November 19, 2006
2 Nephi 8 (or, Trust)
"I am he; yea I am he that comforteth you. Behold, who art thou, that thou shouldst be afraid of man, who shall die ... and forgettest the Lord thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth?
"Fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.
For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool. But my righteousness shall be forever, and my salvation from generation to generation.
"For the Lord shall comfort Zion, he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving and the voice of melody.
"And on my arm shall they trust."
How do we exhibit fear of mean and their revilings? Is our hope in the Lord? Are we more upset and fearful over our diligence in daily prayer, scripture study, and being kind to others, or are we more concerned about finances, work, and deadlines? While we should do our duty in worldly affairs, we should fear God more than man.
The Lord will comfort us and all of our waste places. He will make our weaknesses strengths. Anything in us that is a wilderness or a desert the Lord will make as beautiful and lush as a garden. We can have great hope and happiness in our Savior.
"Fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.
For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool. But my righteousness shall be forever, and my salvation from generation to generation.
"For the Lord shall comfort Zion, he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving and the voice of melody.
"And on my arm shall they trust."
How do we exhibit fear of mean and their revilings? Is our hope in the Lord? Are we more upset and fearful over our diligence in daily prayer, scripture study, and being kind to others, or are we more concerned about finances, work, and deadlines? While we should do our duty in worldly affairs, we should fear God more than man.
The Lord will comfort us and all of our waste places. He will make our weaknesses strengths. Anything in us that is a wilderness or a desert the Lord will make as beautiful and lush as a garden. We can have great hope and happiness in our Savior.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Doctrine and Covenants 3
7 For, behold, you should not have feared man more than God. Although men set at naught the counsels of God, and despise his words—
8 Yet you should have been faithful; and he would have extended his arm and supported you against all the fiery darts of the adversary; and he would have been with you in every time of trouble.
8 Yet you should have been faithful; and he would have extended his arm and supported you against all the fiery darts of the adversary; and he would have been with you in every time of trouble.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
(Untitled) by Sharon Creech
Sometimes
when you are trying
not to think about something
it keeps popping back
into your head
you can’t help it
you think about it
and
think about it
and
think about it
until your brain
feels like
a squashed pea.
when you are trying
not to think about something
it keeps popping back
into your head
you can’t help it
you think about it
and
think about it
and
think about it
until your brain
feels like
a squashed pea.
Monday, November 13, 2006
From Blossoms by Li-Young Lee
From blossoms comes
this brown paper bag of peaches
we bought from the joy
at the bend in the road where we turned toward
signs painted Peaches.
From laden boughs, from hands,
from sweet fellowship in the bins,
comes nectar at the roadside, succulent
peaches we devour, dusty skin and all,
comes the familiar dust of summer, dust we eat.
O, to take what we love inside,
to carry within us an orchard, to eat
not only the skin, but the shade,
not only the sugar, but the days, to hold
the fruit in our hands, adore it, then bite into
the round jubilance of peach.
There are days we live
as if death were nowhere
in the background; from joy
to joy to joy, from wing to wing,
from blossom to blossom to
impossible blossom, to sweet impossible blossom.
this brown paper bag of peaches
we bought from the joy
at the bend in the road where we turned toward
signs painted Peaches.
From laden boughs, from hands,
from sweet fellowship in the bins,
comes nectar at the roadside, succulent
peaches we devour, dusty skin and all,
comes the familiar dust of summer, dust we eat.
O, to take what we love inside,
to carry within us an orchard, to eat
not only the skin, but the shade,
not only the sugar, but the days, to hold
the fruit in our hands, adore it, then bite into
the round jubilance of peach.
There are days we live
as if death were nowhere
in the background; from joy
to joy to joy, from wing to wing,
from blossom to blossom to
impossible blossom, to sweet impossible blossom.
Rain by Jack Gilbert
Suddenly this defeat.
This rain.
The blues gone grey
And the browns gone grey
And yellow
A terrible amber.
In the cold streets
Your warm body.
In whatever room
Your warm body.
Among all the people
Your absence
The people who are always
Not you.
I have been easy with trees
Too long.
Too familiar with mountains.
Joy has been a habit.
Now
Suddenly
This rain.
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Friday, November 10, 2006
The Riddle of the World by Alexander Pope
Know then thyself, presume not God to scan;
The proper study of Mankind is Man.
Plac'd on this isthmus of a middle state,
A being darkly wise, and rudely great:
With too much knowledge for the Sceptic side,
With too much weakness for the Stoic's pride,
He hangs between; in doubt to act, or rest,
In doubt to deem himself a God, or Beast;
In doubt his Mind or Body to prefer,
Born but to die, and reas'ning but to err,
Alike in ignorance, his reason such,
Whether he thinks too little, or too much:
Chaos of Thought and Passion, all confus'd;
Still by himself abus'd, or disabus'd;
Created half to rise,and half to fall;
Great lord of all things, yet a prey to all;
Sole judge of Truth, in endless error hurl'd:
The glory, jest and riddle of the world!
The proper study of Mankind is Man.
Plac'd on this isthmus of a middle state,
A being darkly wise, and rudely great:
With too much knowledge for the Sceptic side,
With too much weakness for the Stoic's pride,
He hangs between; in doubt to act, or rest,
In doubt to deem himself a God, or Beast;
In doubt his Mind or Body to prefer,
Born but to die, and reas'ning but to err,
Alike in ignorance, his reason such,
Whether he thinks too little, or too much:
Chaos of Thought and Passion, all confus'd;
Still by himself abus'd, or disabus'd;
Created half to rise,and half to fall;
Great lord of all things, yet a prey to all;
Sole judge of Truth, in endless error hurl'd:
The glory, jest and riddle of the world!
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Perhaps it needs to be gchat abstinence
It just so happens that my gchat fast a few weeks ago was highly successful.
I am currently considering gchat abstinence. The gchat world is a dangerous place. Why take risks?
I am currently considering gchat abstinence. The gchat world is a dangerous place. Why take risks?
Past
We have to discard the past
and, as one builds
floor by floor, window by window,
and the building rises,
so do we go on throwing down
first, broken tiles,
then pompous doors,
until out of the past
dust rises
as if to crash
against the floor,
smoke rises
as if to catch fire,
and each new day
it gleams
like an empty
plate.
There is nothing, there is always nothing.
It has to be filled
with a new, fruitful
space,
then downward
tumbles yesterday
as in a well
falls yesterday's water,
into the cistern
of all still without voice or fire.
It is difficult
to teach bones
to disappear,
to teach eyes
to close
but
we do it
unrealizing.
It was all alive,
alive, alive, alive
like a scarlet fish
but time
passed over its dark cloth
and the flash of the fish
drowned and disappeared.
Water water water
the past goes on falling
still a tangle
of bones
and of roots;
it has been, it has been, and now
memories mean nothing.
Now the heavy eyelid
covers the light of the eye
and what was once living
now no longer lives;
what we were, we are not.
And with words, although the letters
still have transparency and sound,
they change, and the mouth changes;
the same mouth is now another mouth;
they change, lips, skin, circulation;
another being has occupied our skeleton;
what once was in us now is not.
It has gone, but if they call, we reply:
'I am here,' knowing we are not,
that what once was, was and is lost,
is lost in the past, and now will not return.
Pablo Neruda
and, as one builds
floor by floor, window by window,
and the building rises,
so do we go on throwing down
first, broken tiles,
then pompous doors,
until out of the past
dust rises
as if to crash
against the floor,
smoke rises
as if to catch fire,
and each new day
it gleams
like an empty
plate.
There is nothing, there is always nothing.
It has to be filled
with a new, fruitful
space,
then downward
tumbles yesterday
as in a well
falls yesterday's water,
into the cistern
of all still without voice or fire.
It is difficult
to teach bones
to disappear,
to teach eyes
to close
but
we do it
unrealizing.
It was all alive,
alive, alive, alive
like a scarlet fish
but time
passed over its dark cloth
and the flash of the fish
drowned and disappeared.
Water water water
the past goes on falling
still a tangle
of bones
and of roots;
it has been, it has been, and now
memories mean nothing.
Now the heavy eyelid
covers the light of the eye
and what was once living
now no longer lives;
what we were, we are not.
And with words, although the letters
still have transparency and sound,
they change, and the mouth changes;
the same mouth is now another mouth;
they change, lips, skin, circulation;
another being has occupied our skeleton;
what once was in us now is not.
It has gone, but if they call, we reply:
'I am here,' knowing we are not,
that what once was, was and is lost,
is lost in the past, and now will not return.
Pablo Neruda
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Tomorrow is a g-chat fast
Just a warning. Thursday I am offline. I am focusing. I am working. I am good.
Expect some extra blog posts :)
Expect some extra blog posts :)
Word of the Day
pithy
adjective
Concise and full of meaning. Describes speech or writing that is short, direct, and memorable.
Google Define here.
adjective
Concise and full of meaning. Describes speech or writing that is short, direct, and memorable.
Google Define here.
Fear not to do good
In general conference this Fall, Anthony D. Perkins suggested we avoid the following 3 snares:
- False inadequacy
- Exaggerated imperfection
- Needless guilt
He suggested we make 5 changes to our minds and hearts:
- See yourself as a precious child of a loving Father in Heaven.
- Place your burdens on Jesus Christ. Drop to your knees in prayer.
- Forgive yourself of sins and imperfections.
- Sustain hope of eternal life.
- Find joy in each day.
God has infinite love for each of us. The Spirit can give us positive hope for change. We should develop and use our talents rather than dwelling on our weaknesses.
This admonition reminds me of one of my favorite scriptures:
"Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoevever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good, ye shall also reap good for your reward.
"Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.
"Behold, I do not condemn you; go your ways and sin no more; perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you.
"Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.
"Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Amen."
(Doctrine & Covenants 6:33-37)
- False inadequacy
- Exaggerated imperfection
- Needless guilt
He suggested we make 5 changes to our minds and hearts:
- See yourself as a precious child of a loving Father in Heaven.
- Place your burdens on Jesus Christ. Drop to your knees in prayer.
- Forgive yourself of sins and imperfections.
- Sustain hope of eternal life.
- Find joy in each day.
God has infinite love for each of us. The Spirit can give us positive hope for change. We should develop and use our talents rather than dwelling on our weaknesses.
This admonition reminds me of one of my favorite scriptures:
"Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoevever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good, ye shall also reap good for your reward.
"Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.
"Behold, I do not condemn you; go your ways and sin no more; perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you.
"Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.
"Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Amen."
(Doctrine & Covenants 6:33-37)
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Truth
"Through the Holy Ghost the truth is woven into the very fibre and sinews of the body so that it cannot be forgotten." - Bruce R. McConkie
It is our privilege and responsibility to seek the companionship of the spirit and to be united with it. As we sincerely seek truth through prayer, studying the scriptures, and receiving the testimonies of others, it will become a part of us.
"That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day." - Doctrine & Covenants 50:24
It is our privilege and responsibility to seek the companionship of the spirit and to be united with it. As we sincerely seek truth through prayer, studying the scriptures, and receiving the testimonies of others, it will become a part of us.
"That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day." - Doctrine & Covenants 50:24
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Quote of the Day
The chastisements we have had from time to time have been for our good, and are essential to learn wisdom, and carry us through a school of experience we never could have passed through without.
Wilford Woodruff
Wilford Woodruff
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Doctrine & Covenants 58:3
Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Quote of the Day
"No sé, no sé de dónde salió,
de inverno o río.
No sé cómo ni cuándo,
no, no eran voces, no eran palabras,
ni silencio,
pero desde una calle me llamaba,
desde las ramas de la noche
de pronto entre los otros,
entre fuegos violentos o regresando solo,
allí estaba sin rostro y me tocaba."
Pablo Neruda
[I don't know... I don't know where it came from, from winter or a river. I don't know how or when, no, they were not voices, they were not words, nor silence, but from a street I was summoned, from the branches of night, abruptly from the others, among violent fires or returning alone, there I was without a face and it touched me. ]
This is Pablo Neruda's poem "Poesía," and while it is a beautiful image of the artist finding his calling as a poet, I also think it is a beautiful image for any intangible experience, revelation, or inspiration. To not know the means by which it came, even if one knows the source. To be without a face and yet to be chosen abruptly from the others. This is the strange, surreal experience of revelation - poetic, spiritual, intellectual. I just think this poem captures it beautifully.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Quote of the Day
We must meet reverses boldly, and not suffer them to frighten us, my dear. We must learn to act the play out. We must live misfortune down!
Charles Dickens (Aunt Trotwood, David Copperfield)
Charles Dickens (Aunt Trotwood, David Copperfield)
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
"You know, like a fast from gchat"
For those of you who don't know, I am currently on a gchat fast. That means that I am not going to be on gchat this week (through Saturday). I may on occasion pop on for tiny, tiny seconds if I have a dire need to get in touch with someone, but if SH catches me, I am in big trouble.
So I know you all miss me, but think about the wonderful blessings I am getting from being off of gchat.
So I know you all miss me, but think about the wonderful blessings I am getting from being off of gchat.
lunchie lunchie lunch
I'm going to have lunch with my older sister today.
In case you don't know, she's officially great with child
It's true. I am going to be an Aunt.
May 2007 my life changes forever. woo hoo!
In case you don't know, she's officially great with child
It's true. I am going to be an Aunt.
May 2007 my life changes forever. woo hoo!
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
I succumbed...
...and went into Ikea for the first time today.
I got a desk for my bedroom (it has black legs rather than the red shown here):
Ikea is crazy. I got lost several times. It's all horrid quality, but so terribly cheap and simple. I blistered my right hand screwing the legs on with a philips screwdriver, but the table, a black chair, and a box of orange crisps were all < $50. Not bad.
I got a desk for my bedroom (it has black legs rather than the red shown here):
Ikea is crazy. I got lost several times. It's all horrid quality, but so terribly cheap and simple. I blistered my right hand screwing the legs on with a philips screwdriver, but the table, a black chair, and a box of orange crisps were all < $50. Not bad.
My Luggage has arrived
and so have earrings!
My roommate Sarah O surprised me with some delightful earrings last night.
They look like these except they have diamonds/cz on the edges. They are different from anything I would have picked out, but I love them! They are so elegant and also very, very big :)
And I am enchanted to announce that my luggage has arrived from its delayed stay in Dallas. Woot!
I am here. I promise.
So I apologize for being MIA, but it has been craaaazy!
Let me tell you, I just got back from an awesome weekend in Boston (my first time there ever) and you can read all about it on Whitney's blog here.
Oh, and my luggage is somewhere in Dallas.
Let me tell you, I just got back from an awesome weekend in Boston (my first time there ever) and you can read all about it on Whitney's blog here.
Oh, and my luggage is somewhere in Dallas.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Quote of the Day
"It is work that spells the difference in life. It is stretching our minds and utilizing the skills of our hands that lift us from mediocrity."
Gordon B. Hinckley
Learning diligence and self-discipline in work is one of the most godly tasks we can undertake. I know this is true because it is so hard! I so often try to get by on less. One of my most primary goals right now is to learn to be more disciplined in all that I do - work helps me to practice that over and over again.
Gordon B. Hinckley
Learning diligence and self-discipline in work is one of the most godly tasks we can undertake. I know this is true because it is so hard! I so often try to get by on less. One of my most primary goals right now is to learn to be more disciplined in all that I do - work helps me to practice that over and over again.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Quote of the Day
In one sense there is no such thing as self-denial, for what we call such is the necessary price we pay for things on which our hearts are set.
Harry Emerson Fosdick
Harry Emerson Fosdick
The Long Anticipated: Haiku Hustle Results !!!
Thanks everyone for (a) playing and (b) being patient! I definitely will do another invitational/challenge because of the highly creative responses! I hope you all read the comments and saw the truly awesome submissions. I've added two new categories, since we had a few emerge :)
And without further ado...
Best Autumn Haiku
Author: Meghan A C
Title: Autumn Migration
Rain and cooler days
Spiders keep warm at my door
Warden or sentries
The captive attacks
Those lurking in webbed corners
Driven mad through fear
Toxic mist rises
Death twirling on silken threads
Free their prisoner
Most Humorous Haiku - tie!
Author: Jocelyn S
Title: Ode to Singles Ward
oh colonial
madly searching for "the one"
awkwardness ensues
Author: Cam W
Title: untitled
Comfortable jeans
Holes in all the right places
Wearin’ ‘em to church
Best Haiku Series
Author: Jen S H
Title: Grade School Woes
You're my new teacher?
Are you sure you're old enough?
Incredulity
Palm sweat, beating heart
Um, will you go out with me?
Circle yes or no
An emergency
"Miss, I've really got to go!"
Plight of the fifth grade
"I need a Band-aid"
Finger in pencil sharp'ner
Teacher: "How and why?!"
Most Creative Haiku - tie!
Author: Alice P
Title: untitled
all about me, Alice
paints, scissors, cars, graphs, maps, hikes, laughs
want to join the fun?
Author: Laura R
Title: untitled
samantha attempts
to write a haiku poem
she is the master
Best Haiku about a Place - tie!
Author: Samantha H
Title: untitled
sky and rolling waves
catching small sand crabs with dad
santa cruz beaches
Author: David C
Title: Tahoe
Sierra jewel
Set in a magenta ring
Mirrors sun and stone
Best Haiku about Food - new category!
Author: Whitney
Title: untitled
Gary is too thin
I suggest milkshakes and cream
Eat Gary Eat Please
Ice cream, milk, butter
Delicious goodness from cow
Love that black and white
Author: Laura T L
Title: untitled
Pineapple and Ham
Extra Sauce and Cheese are good
Pizza is my Friend
Best Haiku about School - new category!
Author: Reija M
Title: Grading
When you asked for help
I could have told you and saved
My pen this big X.
Author: Jocelyn S
Title: Ode to Standardized Testing
g.r.e. study
math, verbal, two short essays,
can i be gordon?
And without further ado...
Best Autumn Haiku
Author: Meghan A C
Title: Autumn Migration
Rain and cooler days
Spiders keep warm at my door
Warden or sentries
The captive attacks
Those lurking in webbed corners
Driven mad through fear
Toxic mist rises
Death twirling on silken threads
Free their prisoner
Most Humorous Haiku - tie!
Author: Jocelyn S
Title: Ode to Singles Ward
oh colonial
madly searching for "the one"
awkwardness ensues
Author: Cam W
Title: untitled
Comfortable jeans
Holes in all the right places
Wearin’ ‘em to church
Best Haiku Series
Author: Jen S H
Title: Grade School Woes
You're my new teacher?
Are you sure you're old enough?
Incredulity
Palm sweat, beating heart
Um, will you go out with me?
Circle yes or no
An emergency
"Miss, I've really got to go!"
Plight of the fifth grade
"I need a Band-aid"
Finger in pencil sharp'ner
Teacher: "How and why?!"
Most Creative Haiku - tie!
Author: Alice P
Title: untitled
all about me, Alice
paints, scissors, cars, graphs, maps, hikes, laughs
want to join the fun?
Author: Laura R
Title: untitled
samantha attempts
to write a haiku poem
she is the master
Best Haiku about a Place - tie!
Author: Samantha H
Title: untitled
sky and rolling waves
catching small sand crabs with dad
santa cruz beaches
Author: David C
Title: Tahoe
Sierra jewel
Set in a magenta ring
Mirrors sun and stone
Best Haiku about Food - new category!
Author: Whitney
Title: untitled
Gary is too thin
I suggest milkshakes and cream
Eat Gary Eat Please
Ice cream, milk, butter
Delicious goodness from cow
Love that black and white
Author: Laura T L
Title: untitled
Pineapple and Ham
Extra Sauce and Cheese are good
Pizza is my Friend
Best Haiku about School - new category!
Author: Reija M
Title: Grading
When you asked for help
I could have told you and saved
My pen this big X.
Author: Jocelyn S
Title: Ode to Standardized Testing
g.r.e. study
math, verbal, two short essays,
can i be gordon?
Monday, October 16, 2006
Quote of the Day
"You cannot run away from weakness; you must sometime fight it out or perish; and if that be so, why not now and where you stand?"
Robert Louis Stevenson
This quote reminds me of this scripture which I read yesterday and I have been thinking about since.
Doctrine & Covenants 58:
26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.
27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; (We have so much potential! If we really made it a priority we could do SO MUCH GOOD even in small ways.)
28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.
29 But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, (reminds me of when I was little and I would wait to do chores to help my mom until she made me. Or at work when I know that something needs to be done but I wait until I'm asked...) and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned.
30 Who am I that made man, saith the Lord, that will hold him guiltless that obeys not my commandments?
31 Who am I, saith the Lord, that have promised and have not fulfilled?
32 I command and men obey not; I revoke and they receive not the blessing. (This suggests that slothfulness in keeping commandments can result in the revoking of blessings. Ouch.)
33 Then they say in their hearts: This is not the work of the Lord, for his promises are not fulfilled. But wo unto such, for their reward lurketh cbeneath, and not from above.
So I've been thinking a lot about slothfulness. About the need to be proactive and valiant. I find that I have been stuck in a rut of complacency. I have technically been doing everything I should, but according to this passage, "he that doeth not anything until he is commanded" may be doing everything that is technically required, but it's not what the Lord is asking.
The other part that really struck me was this: "I command and men obey not; I revoke and they receive not the blessing. Then they say in their hearts: This is not the work of the Lord, for his promises are not fulfilled." I realized that when I murmur or complain about not receiving something I feel like I have been promised, it is likely because I am keeping commandments with doubt or with slothfulness (verse 29).
Robert Louis Stevenson
This quote reminds me of this scripture which I read yesterday and I have been thinking about since.
Doctrine & Covenants 58:
26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.
27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; (We have so much potential! If we really made it a priority we could do SO MUCH GOOD even in small ways.)
28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.
29 But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, (reminds me of when I was little and I would wait to do chores to help my mom until she made me. Or at work when I know that something needs to be done but I wait until I'm asked...) and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned.
30 Who am I that made man, saith the Lord, that will hold him guiltless that obeys not my commandments?
31 Who am I, saith the Lord, that have promised and have not fulfilled?
32 I command and men obey not; I revoke and they receive not the blessing. (This suggests that slothfulness in keeping commandments can result in the revoking of blessings. Ouch.)
33 Then they say in their hearts: This is not the work of the Lord, for his promises are not fulfilled. But wo unto such, for their reward lurketh cbeneath, and not from above.
So I've been thinking a lot about slothfulness. About the need to be proactive and valiant. I find that I have been stuck in a rut of complacency. I have technically been doing everything I should, but according to this passage, "he that doeth not anything until he is commanded" may be doing everything that is technically required, but it's not what the Lord is asking.
The other part that really struck me was this: "I command and men obey not; I revoke and they receive not the blessing. Then they say in their hearts: This is not the work of the Lord, for his promises are not fulfilled." I realized that when I murmur or complain about not receiving something I feel like I have been promised, it is likely because I am keeping commandments with doubt or with slothfulness (verse 29).
Isaiah 40:28
Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
Friday, October 13, 2006
I'm going camping ...
So forgive me - I'm going to announce the awards on Monday. Today is still the deadline, but it's too hard for me to choose and I know I'll need all weekend to mull it over. AND I found out I'm driving the 4pm car to the campout.
Until then!
Until then!
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Haiku Invitational & Challenge
The deadline is THIS FRIDAY! Thanks to everyone who has submitted thus far!
Dear Reader,
With the change in the seasons, it is more than appropriate to issue a Haiku Invitational and Challenge.
An Invitation
- Please (using the Comments section) submit a haiku (a series of haiku, multiple entries, are welcome). Please review the guidelines at the end of this post.
A Challenge
- I will award prizes to the best haiku (best = the ones I select for any reason I choose) in the following categories:
(1) Best Autumn Haiku
(2) Most Humorous Haiku
(3) Best Haiku Series (containing at least 3 haiku)
(4) Most Creative Haiku
(5) Best Haiku about a Place
- You are welcome to include an introduction or a note along with your haiku to assist in the judging.
Guidelines
1. Entries must be posted as a comment in order to be considered. Multiple comments, posts, submissions may be made.
2. Poems must be in haiku format. They must have 3 lines in 5/7/5 syllabic form. They do not generally rhyme (no extra points for rhyming. In fact, I may dock you points).
3. Poems do not have to be traditional Haiku, but there are awards in that category. Please note that traditional Haiku are minimalist and nature-themed.
4. You do not have to know me to make a submission! :)
5. Awards will be issued on Friday, October 13th.
I WILL NOT BE POSTING AGAIN UNTIL THE CHALLENGE IS COMPLETE! Good luck!!!
Dear Reader,
With the change in the seasons, it is more than appropriate to issue a Haiku Invitational and Challenge.
An Invitation
- Please (using the Comments section) submit a haiku (a series of haiku, multiple entries, are welcome). Please review the guidelines at the end of this post.
A Challenge
- I will award prizes to the best haiku (best = the ones I select for any reason I choose) in the following categories:
(1) Best Autumn Haiku
(2) Most Humorous Haiku
(3) Best Haiku Series (containing at least 3 haiku)
(4) Most Creative Haiku
(5) Best Haiku about a Place
- You are welcome to include an introduction or a note along with your haiku to assist in the judging.
Guidelines
1. Entries must be posted as a comment in order to be considered. Multiple comments, posts, submissions may be made.
2. Poems must be in haiku format. They must have 3 lines in 5/7/5 syllabic form. They do not generally rhyme (no extra points for rhyming. In fact, I may dock you points).
3. Poems do not have to be traditional Haiku, but there are awards in that category. Please note that traditional Haiku are minimalist and nature-themed.
4. You do not have to know me to make a submission! :)
5. Awards will be issued on Friday, October 13th.
I WILL NOT BE POSTING AGAIN UNTIL THE CHALLENGE IS COMPLETE! Good luck!!!
Monday, October 02, 2006
Quote of the Day
"The arrow seen before cometh less rudely."
Dante
That's how I feel about surprises :)
Dante
That's how I feel about surprises :)
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Quote of the Day
"We have an enormous responsibility to be who God wants us to be and to do what God wants us to do."
Russell M. Nelson
Russell M. Nelson
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Friday, September 29, 2006
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Yesterday's Quote of the Day
"Remember our agency is not only for us. We have the responsibility to use it in behalf of others, to lift and strengthen others in their trials and tribulations."
Elder Robert D. Hales
It is easy as singles who are working hard to find our own place in the world to worry about how to use our agency to make the right personal choices. This is good and it is right, but we must realize that while we may have doubts and insecurities in making many of our life choices, there is no doubt and there is no insecurity in serving others in very personal ways. Our contribution to building the kingdom of God starts here and now - regardless of our situation in life - in serving, teaching, and blessing others.
Elder Robert D. Hales
It is easy as singles who are working hard to find our own place in the world to worry about how to use our agency to make the right personal choices. This is good and it is right, but we must realize that while we may have doubts and insecurities in making many of our life choices, there is no doubt and there is no insecurity in serving others in very personal ways. Our contribution to building the kingdom of God starts here and now - regardless of our situation in life - in serving, teaching, and blessing others.
Quote of the Day
"A thing will not really live unless it first dies. It is simply no good trying to keep any thrill: that is the very worst thing you can do. Let the thrill go--let it die away--go on through that period of death into the quieter interest and happiness that follow--and you will find you are living in a world of new thrills all the time. But if you decide to make thrills your regular diet and try to prolong them artificially, they will all get weaker and weaker, and fewer and fewer, and you will be a bored, disillusioned old man for the rest of your life."
C. S. Lewis
C. S. Lewis
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Quote of the Day
"President Joseph Smith was in person tall and well built, strong and active; of a light complexion, light hair, blue eyes, very little beard, and of an expression peculiar to himself, on which the eye naturally rested with interest, and was never weary of beholding. His countenance was ever mild, affable, beaming with intelligence and benevolence; mingled with a look of interest and an unconscious smile, or cheerfulness, and entirely free from all restraint or affectation of gravity; and there was something connected with the serene and steady penetrating glance of his eye, as if he would penetrate the deepest abyss of the human heart, gaze into eternity, penetrate the heavens, and comprehend all worlds."
Parley P. Pratt
I love this description of the Prophet Joseph. Not only does it give me a visual image of him, but it also makes me consider how some of his characteristics marked him worthy to be a prophet - and how others were gifts of that calling.
I testify to you that the Lord restored the fullness of His gospel through Joseph Smith. In learning more about the life of Joseph Smith, and more especially by studying the Doctrine and Covenenants, we can learn how the Lord supported, rebuked, forgave, blessed, and ultimately exalted His servant. I testify to you that by studying the Lord's loving relationship with Joseph Smith we can better understand our own personal relationships with the Savior.
Parley P. Pratt
I love this description of the Prophet Joseph. Not only does it give me a visual image of him, but it also makes me consider how some of his characteristics marked him worthy to be a prophet - and how others were gifts of that calling.
I testify to you that the Lord restored the fullness of His gospel through Joseph Smith. In learning more about the life of Joseph Smith, and more especially by studying the Doctrine and Covenenants, we can learn how the Lord supported, rebuked, forgave, blessed, and ultimately exalted His servant. I testify to you that by studying the Lord's loving relationship with Joseph Smith we can better understand our own personal relationships with the Savior.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Quote of the Day
"It is incumbent upon each of us to do everything we can to increase our spiritual knowledge and understanding by studying the scriptures and the words of the living prophets. "
M. Russell Ballard
We have an obligation to study the scriptures regularly and to make our spiritual knowledge and understanding of the highest priority. When I consider the time I spend reading other (good!) books, looking at very cute clothes online (as evidenced by this blog...) or listening to music, it is humbling to realize that if I am not putting in a solid block of time to study the scriptures, then I am IN EFFECT putting the world first - even if the things of the world I am looking at / reading / researching are indeed lovely and of good report...
Let's renew our commitment and pray for the discipline to prioritize consistent and sincere scripture study.
M. Russell Ballard
We have an obligation to study the scriptures regularly and to make our spiritual knowledge and understanding of the highest priority. When I consider the time I spend reading other (good!) books, looking at very cute clothes online (as evidenced by this blog...) or listening to music, it is humbling to realize that if I am not putting in a solid block of time to study the scriptures, then I am IN EFFECT putting the world first - even if the things of the world I am looking at / reading / researching are indeed lovely and of good report...
Let's renew our commitment and pray for the discipline to prioritize consistent and sincere scripture study.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
The Pathway of Discipleship by Neal A. Maxwell
Even the moments that seem humdrum are full of possibilities. Nothing is really routine. If we really want to do much good, we must also be good.
Conversations and decisions in which we engage, even if they seem small, expose the heart and the mind and their furnishings. Brigham Young once said, "You cannot hide the heart, when the mouth is open" (JD 6:74).
We are not always free to choose just when and how all of life's interactions will occur, we are nevertheless free to choose our responses to these moments.
It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilisations--these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of
a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit. [C. S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory and Other Addresses (New York: Macmillan, 1980), p. 19]
It is vital for you and for me, in the words of Jacob, to see things "as they really are" and things "as they really will be" (Jacob 4:13).
All of this made me think about this scripture:
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part, but then shall I know as also I am known. (1 Corinthians 13:12)
Read the full talk here.
Conversations and decisions in which we engage, even if they seem small, expose the heart and the mind and their furnishings. Brigham Young once said, "You cannot hide the heart, when the mouth is open" (JD 6:74).
We are not always free to choose just when and how all of life's interactions will occur, we are nevertheless free to choose our responses to these moments.
It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilisations--these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of
a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit. [C. S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory and Other Addresses (New York: Macmillan, 1980), p. 19]
It is vital for you and for me, in the words of Jacob, to see things "as they really are" and things "as they really will be" (Jacob 4:13).
All of this made me think about this scripture:
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part, but then shall I know as also I am known. (1 Corinthians 13:12)
Read the full talk here.
Quote of the Day
"Skillful listening is the best remedy for loneliness, loquaciousness, and laryngitis."
William Arthur Ward
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Quote of the Day
"Plain women know more about men than beautiful ones do. But beautiful women don't need to know about men. It's the men who have to know about beautiful women."
Katherine Hepburn
Monday, September 18, 2006
Quote of the Day
There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilisations--these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit.
C S Lewis
C S Lewis
iTunes Playlist
In the Aeroplane over the Sea (Neutral Milk Hotel)
In the Aeroplane over the Sea (Matt Pond PA)
Pacific Theme (Broken Social Scene)
Two Thousand Years (Billy Joel)
Save Yourself (Sense Field)
Into the Sea (Album Leaf)
Beautiful Love (Afters)
If She Wants Me (Belle & Sebastian)
In the Aeroplane over the Sea (Matt Pond PA)
Pacific Theme (Broken Social Scene)
Two Thousand Years (Billy Joel)
Save Yourself (Sense Field)
Into the Sea (Album Leaf)
Beautiful Love (Afters)
If She Wants Me (Belle & Sebastian)
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Hoity Toity
Whitney: How do you spell hoitey toitey?
me: hoity toity, I think.
Whitney: I got a call back from a hoity toity law firm ... ahah
me: YEEEEah
me: hoity toity, I think.
Whitney: I got a call back from a hoity toity law firm ... ahah
me: YEEEEah
Compliments of Urban Dictionary
Home Office
I'm trying to decide what to do for a home office. Right now I just sit on my bed with my 6 pillows and my laptop board. I have one section of wall where I could put a desk, but I've been torn between putting a desk there and getting more bookcases ...
But then I saw this idea from Martha Stewart, and I'm considering doing it, even though it's way more crafty than I ever, ever get. If I do it, I think I will use wallpaper in one of these prints to line the bookcases so that while in a more contemporary (crisp and white) style, it will still fit with the style of my house.
But then I saw this idea from Martha Stewart, and I'm considering doing it, even though it's way more crafty than I ever, ever get. If I do it, I think I will use wallpaper in one of these prints to line the bookcases so that while in a more contemporary (crisp and white) style, it will still fit with the style of my house.
You can see below that instead of orange, I would wallpaper the interiors:
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Books Part 2
1. One book that changed your life
Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz
2. One book that you have read more than once
Middlemarch by George Eliot
3. One book you would want on a desert island
4. One book that made you laugh out loud
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
5. One book that made you cry
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
6. One book you wish had been written
anything more from JD Salinger
7. One book you wish had never been written
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
8. One book you are currently reading
Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner
9. One book you have been meaning to read
The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Monday, September 11, 2006
I have returned
Highlights of the trip include:
- riding on (for the first time) and learning to drive a 4 wheeler
- driving an RTV (kobudo)
- crawling into an igloo made of hay
- learning family secrets
- re-injuring my left shoulder (it takes talent, people)
- taking hydrocodone
- driving into the end of the rainbow
- seeing sweet STU!
- riding on (for the first time) and learning to drive a 4 wheeler
- driving an RTV (kobudo)
- crawling into an igloo made of hay
- learning family secrets
- re-injuring my left shoulder (it takes talent, people)
- taking hydrocodone
- driving into the end of the rainbow
- seeing sweet STU!
Thursday, August 31, 2006
holiday holiday holiday holiday holiday
Today kicks off kt's
Friday, September 1st: Bluewater, New Mexico
Monday, September 4th: Mesa, Arizona
Thursday, September 7th: Provo, Utah
Saturday, September 9th:Rexburg, Idaho Cancelled
Sunday, September 10th: NOR*CAL - tour ends!!
SOuThWestErN TOuR
Tour DatesFriday, September 1st: Bluewater, New Mexico
Monday, September 4th: Mesa, Arizona
Thursday, September 7th: Provo, Utah
Saturday, September 9th:
Sunday, September 10th: NOR*CAL - tour ends!!
Sunday, August 27, 2006
My quest for cultural literacy #1
My favorite pasttime is to seek out books, music, and knowledge that give me cultural literacy.
Cultural literacy is what I call building and recognizing reference points in social culture. This means being able to talk about music, literature, history, art, and movies with others as a point of reference (but also as a main topic of conversation).
While my efforts are broad and ongoing, I'm thinking generally today about my quest in regards to music.
Music
This is generally grouped into three separate efforts. I love to meet people with a strong suit in one of these areas, so that I can learn from them. I would consider #2 my strongest area and #1 my weakest.
1. Classical - I have not studied classical music nor music theory. My efforts thus far have been to try to learn and appreciate classical music. Pieces I enjoy so far are Massenet's Méditation from Thaïs, Fauré's Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 1 in A, Op. 13: IV Allegro quasi presto, and Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No.2 in C minor, Op. 18: II Adagio sostenuto. But I admit I still fall asleep at the symphony.
2. Popular - Popular music as began in the 20th century. Rock and Roll, Punk, and Rhythm and Blues. I grew up with the Beatles, Buddy Holly, James Taylor, Carol King, et al., but my efforts here have been more in regards to Punk (The Pixies, The Clash, et al.) and some of the music I did not grow up with (Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, et al.) I also just like to be familiar with commonly known artists such as U2, Neil Diamond, Queen, and The Cure.
3. Current - I like to know what music is new and to be familiar with the genre, etc. even if I do not like it. I won't list any examples here because music can quickly transfer out of this section to #2 ... I can't claim to be a leader in this movement or even to be a hipster, but I like to have them as my friends :)
Currently Listening to
Classical --> Romantic Period (Rachmaninov, Liszt, Chopin)
Popular --> The Pixies, Johnny Cash, The Ramones
Current --> Wolfmother, Snow Patrol, Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Note: A huge part of this effort is even just learning about what's OUT there. Another reason why I love to meet people with a strong knowledge base. They can direct me to areas I am weak in so at the very least I know what seek out.
Cultural literacy is what I call building and recognizing reference points in social culture. This means being able to talk about music, literature, history, art, and movies with others as a point of reference (but also as a main topic of conversation).
While my efforts are broad and ongoing, I'm thinking generally today about my quest in regards to music.
Music
This is generally grouped into three separate efforts. I love to meet people with a strong suit in one of these areas, so that I can learn from them. I would consider #2 my strongest area and #1 my weakest.
1. Classical - I have not studied classical music nor music theory. My efforts thus far have been to try to learn and appreciate classical music. Pieces I enjoy so far are Massenet's Méditation from Thaïs, Fauré's Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 1 in A, Op. 13: IV Allegro quasi presto, and Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No.2 in C minor, Op. 18: II Adagio sostenuto. But I admit I still fall asleep at the symphony.
2. Popular - Popular music as began in the 20th century. Rock and Roll, Punk, and Rhythm and Blues. I grew up with the Beatles, Buddy Holly, James Taylor, Carol King, et al., but my efforts here have been more in regards to Punk (The Pixies, The Clash, et al.) and some of the music I did not grow up with (Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, et al.) I also just like to be familiar with commonly known artists such as U2, Neil Diamond, Queen, and The Cure.
3. Current - I like to know what music is new and to be familiar with the genre, etc. even if I do not like it. I won't list any examples here because music can quickly transfer out of this section to #2 ... I can't claim to be a leader in this movement or even to be a hipster, but I like to have them as my friends :)
Currently Listening to
Classical --> Romantic Period (Rachmaninov, Liszt, Chopin)
Popular --> The Pixies, Johnny Cash, The Ramones
Current --> Wolfmother, Snow Patrol, Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Note: A huge part of this effort is even just learning about what's OUT there. Another reason why I love to meet people with a strong knowledge base. They can direct me to areas I am weak in so at the very least I know what seek out.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
blogs blogs blogs blogs blogs
These are the blogs I have bookmarked and read as often as they are updated...
By people I know:
NieNie Dialogues
My cousin's wife blogs with incredible style. It helps me keep on her delectable children.
FOMO: Fear of Missing Out
One of my good friends who recently moved to LA. Reading her blog is liking having a great discussion with a girlfriend.
The Milestones
My cousin (recently engaged!) who is a chef and a romantic.
Whit's Wit
My Boston BFF.
By people I DO NOT know:
Oh Happy Day
Seriously the greatest discovery for me. I found Jordan's blog off of the New Awesome and she posts daily on pretty things she finds. I love to explore the archives for ideas. She lives in San Francisco, so it sometimes includes local things.
The New Awesome
Friends of friends. Mostly silly, but entirely awesome.
Design Mom
Found this one through Oh Happy Day - has a very similar style.
Urbanista
NYC guide to living by urban fashionistas. I found this one in a random news article and rumor has it it was founded by John Kerry's daughter and her friend who works for Vanity Fair. It's pretty thorough.
People I wish would write MORE OFTEN:
Blogs written by anyone in my immediate family. You know who you are.
By people I know:
NieNie Dialogues
My cousin's wife blogs with incredible style. It helps me keep on her delectable children.
FOMO: Fear of Missing Out
One of my good friends who recently moved to LA. Reading her blog is liking having a great discussion with a girlfriend.
The Milestones
My cousin (recently engaged!) who is a chef and a romantic.
Whit's Wit
My Boston BFF.
By people I DO NOT know:
Oh Happy Day
Seriously the greatest discovery for me. I found Jordan's blog off of the New Awesome and she posts daily on pretty things she finds. I love to explore the archives for ideas. She lives in San Francisco, so it sometimes includes local things.
The New Awesome
Friends of friends. Mostly silly, but entirely awesome.
Design Mom
Found this one through Oh Happy Day - has a very similar style.
Urbanista
NYC guide to living by urban fashionistas. I found this one in a random news article and rumor has it it was founded by John Kerry's daughter and her friend who works for Vanity Fair. It's pretty thorough.
People I wish would write MORE OFTEN:
Blogs written by anyone in my immediate family. You know who you are.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
The Life Aquatic
My immediate family and I recently bought almost the entire inventory from Cleanflicks' liquidation sale and so my brother Gordon and I watched The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou on Saturday.I love Wes Anderson's The Royal Tenenbaums and The Life Aquatic retains the same terse colors and dry dialogue. It is raw and roughly poignant, and it had some interesting cultural tributes that I particularly appreciated.
My brother pointed out the Moby Dick / Captain Ahab references, but the one that kept coming to mind was the truly great Jacques Cousteau.
I have vivid memories of the oceanography unit we did in my ELP class in elementary school. (I wrote a report on starfish. One of our projects entailed landscaping an ocean in a shoe box and then mapping its depths. We rode a bus to San Diego to go to Sea World.)While the movie doesn't directly remind me of these events, it's still a compelling sketch - told with all of the odd quirks of personality that make the viewer connect to the characters.
You can listen to a clip of my favorite song from the movie here and you can check out the full recording sessions of the David Bowie tributes here.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
books books books books books
When I get a little money I buy books; and if any is left I buy food and clothes.
Desiderius Erasmus
Current Reads:
Life of Pi
Confederacy of Dunces
Preach My Gospel
The Mayor of Casterbridge
When I read a book I to read it with my eyes only, but now and then I come across a passage, perhaps only a phrase, which has a meaning for me, and it becomes part of me.
W. Somerset Maugham
Desiderius Erasmus
Current Reads:Life of Pi
Confederacy of Dunces
Preach My Gospel
The Mayor of Casterbridge
When I read a book I to read it with my eyes only, but now and then I come across a passage, perhaps only a phrase, which has a meaning for me, and it becomes part of me.
W. Somerset Maugham
Monday, August 14, 2006
The Melville House
Here in California, There are many things I love about my house.First of all, it's a hundred years old and it's full of crown moulding, hardwood floors, white walls, and sunlight. It's shaded and surrounded by trees and all other sorts of greenery. There are lovely doors, diamond-paned windows, and little details I find charming.
In the Living Room, we have a living work of art. We could (and often do) sit here all day simply looking outside.
Even before you step into the Dining Room, you can see our china cupboard:
Throughout the room there is simple wainscoting and beautiful garden wallpaper.
We have a moderately sized solid wood round table right by the window. My next project is recovering them in a delightful stripe. The table and chairs are a highly prized find from craigslist. Black finish with wide North Carolina chairs. I love sitting there in the morning.
The Mud Room exits out the back but also gives access to the laundry and powder rooms as well as a half sink.
The kitchen is perhaps my favorite room in that we have bright red dishtowels, light blue tiled counters, colorful bowls, and spices shelved throughout. I have some great tin canisters in bright colors (orange/yellow and green/blue) as well as my beloved toaster and food scale.
Also making the kitchen a colorful and cheerful place is my magnet collection.
But perhap my most favorite thing about the kitchen are the lizards that greet me as I come through the doorway.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Quiet Night Thoughts
Before my bed
There is bright-lit moonlight
So that it seems
Like frost upon the ground;
Lifting my head
I gaze at the bright moon
Lowering my head
I dream of home
-Li Bai
There is bright-lit moonlight
So that it seems
Like frost upon the ground;
Lifting my head
I gaze at the bright moon
Lowering my head
I dream of home
-Li Bai
Tonight is the last night I will have my corporate apartment in Chicago. Above is the view of the sunset from my floor-to-ceiling windows on the 42nd floor. 
It is lovely, but all I can think about is ...
...California!
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Chicago is a Horn of Plenty of GOOD FOOD
Let me tell you. This last weekend was all about the eats. And so is this post.
For those of you who don't know, a Horn of Plenty is more properly known as a Cornucopia. And what I'm here to tell you is that, as far as plenty of food goes, Chicago definitely brings it to the table.
THURSDAY
The Wheels rolled in around 5:30pm and we all got settled in my apartment for a few hours before heading to Rush Street - a few blocks north of my apartment and full of chic stores & restaurants - for dinner.
We ended up at The Tavern on Rush. We were immediately seated and immediately, Whitney and I noticed the Crab and Artichoke dip on the appetizer menu. That's an immediate immediate. I simply pointed at the menu and we both got a little giddy.
The Appetizers
It did take some hemming and hawing, as we were all a little shy - but we were excited to discover that we all wanted appetizers. And more than one dish of them. We got soy-ginger potstickers and the highly desirable crab and artichoke dip. When our waiters announced the specials, we recklessly ordered a third: oysters.
In summary:
- POT STICKERS A Half Dozen Crispy Pork Filled Dumplings with Soy-Ginger and Hot Chili Oil Dipping Sauces
- HOT ARTICHOKE AND CRAB DIP Hot, Creamy Crab, Artichoke and Dill, Served with Rustic Toast
- OYSTERS
Now, it should here be stated that while the rest of the meal was also good, the appetizers were exceptional. Okay, now that I've set your expectations, we'll move on....
The Entrees
THURSDAY
The Wheels rolled in around 5:30pm and we all got settled in my apartment for a few hours before heading to Rush Street - a few blocks north of my apartment and full of chic stores & restaurants - for dinner.
We ended up at The Tavern on Rush. We were immediately seated and immediately, Whitney and I noticed the Crab and Artichoke dip on the appetizer menu. That's an immediate immediate. I simply pointed at the menu and we both got a little giddy.
The Appetizers
It did take some hemming and hawing, as we were all a little shy - but we were excited to discover that we all wanted appetizers. And more than one dish of them. We got soy-ginger potstickers and the highly desirable crab and artichoke dip. When our waiters announced the specials, we recklessly ordered a third: oysters.
In summary:
- POT STICKERS A Half Dozen Crispy Pork Filled Dumplings with Soy-Ginger and Hot Chili Oil Dipping Sauces
- HOT ARTICHOKE AND CRAB DIP Hot, Creamy Crab, Artichoke and Dill, Served with Rustic Toast
- OYSTERS
Now, it should here be stated that while the rest of the meal was also good, the appetizers were exceptional. Okay, now that I've set your expectations, we'll move on....
The Entrees
Whitney
SHELLFISH LOUIE SALAD
Lobster, Crab and Shrimp Louie, Chopped Egg, Tomato, Avocado and Classic Louie Dressing
Karren (<--- not pictured)
SEAFOOD JAMBALAYA
Zesty Creole Tomato Rice, with Shrimp, Mussels, Scallops and Andouille Sausage
Cam
BABY BACK RIBS
Char-Grilled Tender Full Slab in Our Own Tavern Barbecue Sauce
Whitney's was compact, beautiful, and tasty. Mine was spicy and had absolutely delicious scallops. Cam's inspired us all with significant awe. I stole these pictures from Whitney's blog (thanks, Whit!) Cam's ribs were reminiscent of the opening sequence for The Flintstones, and Fred has his meat delivered to him at the Drive In. Literally like this. But with a more elegant presentation.
And then ...
The Dessert
Never fear; regardless of our ability (or inability) to finish our entrees, we made it a priority to order dessert. In this instance, we agreed to share a single order. It was a difficult decision, but we finally settled on the Mocha Mud Pie (Mocha Ice Cream with Oreos and Pecans,Topped with Chocolate and Caramel Sauces on an Oreo Cookie Crust). I should probably add here that the piece of pie was about the size of my head. No joke. It was substantially larger than a pint of Ben & Jerry's. Fab.
FRIDAY
Yes, that is a giant Hershey's Peanut Butter Cup.
Yes, I hugged him upon sight.
We (Bruce and I) were at the Hershey's Flagship Store in Chicago where you can buy coconut hershey's kisses, reese's pieces chocolate cookies, and chocolate dipped almond joys. We bought none of these things, because we were saving ourselves for the Chocolate Buffet at the Peninsula Hotel on Saturday night. (This was merely Friday afternoon).
They call it CHOCOLATE AT THE PEN
Which brings me to...
SATURDAY
So, Saturday was key because we started out the day with Lou Mitchell's. Lou Mitchell's is just 
Regardless of what you order, they will give the ladies some milk duds, they'll give everyone an orange & a prune, and after your breakfast, you get a little dessert :)
This was the first meal we were all united, and as usual, our meals were eaten United Order style:
Bruce --> Apple & Cheddar Omelette
Whitney --> Malted Waffle with blueberries & whipped cream
Cam --> Denver Omelette
Karren --> French Toast
I'm sorry to say I don't have pictures for you - you'll just have to go experience it for yourself :D
Now, to get back to the Chocolate...
We all went back to the apartment and got all dolled up for the Chocolate Buffet.
My friend Brian joined us, even though he had just gotten back from London (by way of Indiana). He couldn't resist the lure of chocolate.
So, we all loaded up our plates with small chocolates, mousses, cookies, cakes, chocolate dipped strawberries - you name it. You can order Godiva chocolate martinis, but we opted for the White Hot Chocolate instead. Lucky for you, we documented our exquisite satisfaction so that you will realize how key this experience is for any Chicago visit:
Here is Bruce indulging in a chocolate-dipped Strawberry. 
Here is Karren anticipating another fantastic sip of WHITE HOT CHOCOLATE.
And here is Brian stuffing his face with a petite chocolate mousse & pastry cake.
Here we see Cam intently drinking his chocolate mousse. (He ultimately ate it with a spoon)
And, of course, Whitney - who enjoyed her strawberry to such a degree that it was impossible to capture it
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Where's my Babel Fish?
Huzzah for cultural literacy!
I just finished reading Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and now feel incredibly enlightened as to the origins of the babel fish. Although learning about them does give more context to this site that I have been using for the last 8 years, I've decided that it's more entertaining when aliens don't have them ... as in this classic:
I just finished reading Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and now feel incredibly enlightened as to the origins of the babel fish. Although learning about them does give more context to this site that I have been using for the last 8 years, I've decided that it's more entertaining when aliens don't have them ... as in this classic:
"We are shaped and fashioned..."
"... by what we love." - Goethe
What do we spend our time thinking about, dreaming about, and planning? The things that we love do indeed shape us. They drive our thoughts and our actions. They are our highest priorities. We sacrifice for them.
There are many beautiful things to love. The world around us, the work that we do, culture and art, nature, friends and family. It is important to recognize that the things that occupy our energies and our happiness - even the smallest pleasures - influence us and change us. Do we consider this when we make choices about our friendships, our daily tasks, as well as the media that we consume? Do we strive to learn to love good and edifying things?
We do not only give our heart to the things that we love - we give our entire lives and our eternal progression. Consider now what you are literally devoted to. These are our idols and our gods. If we love the Lord, we will be fashioned like Him. It may not come easily to love things that are good, but the greatest gift we have is our moral choice - we can change our tastes and preferences. We can change our hearts. We can change what we love if we ask the Lord to help us. He will "give [us] another heart" (1 Samuel 10:9).
"If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things." - 13th Article of Faith
What do we spend our time thinking about, dreaming about, and planning? The things that we love do indeed shape us. They drive our thoughts and our actions. They are our highest priorities. We sacrifice for them.
There are many beautiful things to love. The world around us, the work that we do, culture and art, nature, friends and family. It is important to recognize that the things that occupy our energies and our happiness - even the smallest pleasures - influence us and change us. Do we consider this when we make choices about our friendships, our daily tasks, as well as the media that we consume? Do we strive to learn to love good and edifying things?
We do not only give our heart to the things that we love - we give our entire lives and our eternal progression. Consider now what you are literally devoted to. These are our idols and our gods. If we love the Lord, we will be fashioned like Him. It may not come easily to love things that are good, but the greatest gift we have is our moral choice - we can change our tastes and preferences. We can change our hearts. We can change what we love if we ask the Lord to help us. He will "give [us] another heart" (1 Samuel 10:9).
"If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things." - 13th Article of Faith
Friday, July 28, 2006
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Santa Cruz - Part 1
Marianne's Ice Cream
So my little brother Stuart decided to fly in on the weekend of July 15th - the same weekend I had plans to go to LA. I was able to take the day off (last minute) so that he and I could spend all day Friday together.
For those of you who don't know, Stuart and I were only one grade apart in high school and so we have lots of great memories together from high school. We shared all of the same LDS friends, and many of them lived just over the hill at "Summit" - on the way to Santa Cruz. Thus, we would often spend our weekends and our summers at the beach, at the boardwalk, and over the hill.
So when Stuart and I were contemplating what to do on Friday, we almost immediately agreed that going to ~Santa Cruz~ would be a perfect activity. We would ride the Giant Dipper and we would eat ice cream at Marianne's
I picked Stu up in Los Gatos around 10am and we drove quickly and speedily down 17 to Santa Cruz.
And so we approached our First Stop: Marianne's Fine Ice Creams
(Yes, it was only about 10:30am and no, we had no qualms eating ice cream that early.)
So my little brother Stuart decided to fly in on the weekend of July 15th - the same weekend I had plans to go to LA. I was able to take the day off (last minute) so that he and I could spend all day Friday together.
For those of you who don't know, Stuart and I were only one grade apart in high school and so we have lots of great memories together from high school. We shared all of the same LDS friends, and many of them lived just over the hill at "Summit" - on the way to Santa Cruz. Thus, we would often spend our weekends and our summers at the beach, at the boardwalk, and over the hill.
So when Stuart and I were contemplating what to do on Friday, we almost immediately agreed that going to ~Santa Cruz~ would be a perfect activity. We would ride the Giant Dipper and we would eat ice cream at Marianne's
I picked Stu up in Los Gatos around 10am and we drove quickly and speedily down 17 to Santa Cruz.
And so we approached our First Stop: Marianne's Fine Ice Creams
(Yes, it was only about 10:30am and no, we had no qualms eating ice cream that early.)
Karren: German Chocolate (because we needed more chocolate) Consensus: Cinnamon Caramel exceeded our highest expectations. You can buy it and try it at The Milk Pail Market in Mountain View. German Chocolate though delicious was way too rich. We couldn't finish it. Stu: Lemon Custard (Stu loves anything with custard) Karren: Banana Almond Fudge (very similar to Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey) Consensus: Lemon Custard was very rich, very sweet, but good. However, Banana Almond Fudge was superior. And here is our Consensus: Success. Stay tuned for our next adventure.
So, Marianne's has somewhere around ~~50 ice cream flavors~~ available for selection. Yum! While ginger is my personal favorite, Stu and I agreed that we would each get two scoops to share so that we could try a total of 4 delightful flavors!
Here's what we chose:
Stu: Cinnamon Caramel (immediately, Stu wanted this one) 
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