Soul Pancake, Post II

3 WISHES
1.
A gorgeous, moderately huge goat farm. With two cows. and lots of dogs. Lots of dogs. Somewhere in Delmarva or PA
2.
My parents’ happiness – economic security, anything they need. possibly to include a nice ranch type farm in PA.
3.
and a carved, but unpainted, one of these. with stipends for fixtures, of course.

Why is it so difficult for most of us to love someone unconditionally ?
It’s nearly possible to do unless you have experienced and understand it. That said, being loved unconditionally does not necessarily correlate or lead to that understanding or substantive experience. It’s easy enough to do after you encounter it. At some point it just hits you – this person loves me, no matter what. I love this person, no matter what. It doesn’t have to be reciprocal to the same person, but once you’ve felt it even a little its always a possibility. Until you really encounter it, you can’t claim to love unconditionally – but after you have, that feeling becomes as much a part of you as knowing their name. (Author’s note: Clearly this is all based on family, not romance.)

If you could absorb the talent of another person, what would it be and from who?
While it’s tempting to want Pablo Casal’s skill, I don’t think that would serve me as well as it would have once. I’m honestly not sure what talent I’d most want at this point, and therefore have no idea from whom to Ursula-spell-steal it. It would be nice to be a great painter, a great musician… but those aren’t what I want to be anymore. A great actress? It would be nice, but I’d rather not be a celebrity. I don’t think I really need to be draining anyone else for the ability to coherently argue and follow my career path…just some luck and good connections. If I had to snitch a talent, I’d probably like to be able to draw really well. My doodles are so boring and anytime I get inspired…I’m relegated to writing it down in words or making a horrible mess of it artistically. I can paint alright…its drawing what I”m trying to paint that messes things up. So we’ll go with that. I want to be able to draw. I’ll steal it from the first good artist I see.

Soul Pancake, Post I

SoulPancake.com is my new favorite thing of all time

If you could erase one mistake from history, what would it be?
The Nazi movement. Nothing was gained from the Holocaust. We clearly haven’t learned anything, and history has already repeated itself. The killing was the very definition of senseless, and the politics were just as worthless.

Do we only need God when life smacks us in the face?
I think this is shamefully true of most modern Christians (I can’t speak to other religions, my experience is too limited). I am guilty of it at some points, but not to the extent I’ve observed elsewhere. Certainly God is meant to be there when things are rough, to be a source of inspiration and support (Deu. 31:6, for instance) But God is much more than a psychiatrist or a couch – Give thanks in all you do, sing a new song: all these cliches are just as worthwhile as any prayers for salvation. Praying for others, praying for yourself – these should all be balanced with thanksgiving and exultation. We may not think we need God when things are going well and we are happy, healthy, etc – but in those times we need God as much as ever. When things start to go bad, turning to God makes sense – but ignoring him when things are good is as foolish as ignoring his help when you need it.

What five books should everyone read and why?
1. the Ordinary Princess (M.M. Kaye) – A book which vindicates all the girls who are just waiting for the day the smart girl with a personality wins over the vapid pretty one. Beautifully written as well.
2. Where the Red Fern Grows (Wilson Rawls) – Possibly the most moving story of loyalty and dedication, between many different things both metaphorical and literal. Don’t judge by the bland cover/jacket – it moves me to tears and existentialism every time.
3. Dr. Zhivago (Boris Pasternak) – A splendid study of human relationships, interactions and personal passions. May be a little long/detailed for some, but its a fantastic work when understood properly.
4. Eat, Pray, Love (Liz Gilbert) – The fact that the author is a personal friend aside, this book is inspirational and creative, but most of all is a wonderful validation of women everywhere. Even with the romantic happy ending and cheesy girly drama, this book is feminism at its best and most honest.
5. The Missing Piece (Shel Silverstein) – the only book which is equally inspirational at every stage in one’s life. From infants to geriatrics, this book is more reassuring than the Chicken Soup series and more creative than regular comics.

Soul Drawings
A drawing of my soul at this moment:

What experience would you be willing to risk everything for?
Natural flight. The ability to actually soar without mechanical appendages or motors.

What’s on your to-don’t list?
1. Don’t give up.
2. Don’t rely on other people, but
3. Don’t give up on (helping) other people.
4. Don’t forget to give thanks in all things.
5. Don’t live to-do list to to-do list.

FML Commentaries

“Today, my teenage stepdaughters, as a punishment for refusing to buy them iphones, told my wife they saw me in town kissing an attractive blonde and grabbing her ass (all invented). She believed it and i’m single. I’ve been faithful and feeding the whole family for 10 years. FML”

…this is what’s wrong with modern women. Yes you have every right to throw a cheater out on his damn ass, but after that much committment at least do your fucking research first.

iTunes

So I got laid off last Friday.
I have so far:
Purchased a car.
Ordered a bunch of books.
Did this survey.
…FML

Sort by Song Title – first and last:
First: A’salk (Orphaned Land)
Last: 5150 (Tsunami Bomb)

Sort by Time – first and last:
Shortest: Begin (remix) (the Blow)
Longest: Octavarium (Dream Theater)

Sort by Album – first and last:
First: Absolution (Muse)
Last: 1953 (Eartha Kitt)

Sort by Artist-first and last:
First: A.F.I.
Last: 30 Seconds to Mars

Top Ten Recently Played:
Duncan Hills Coffee Jingle (Dethkolk)
Walls of Babylon (Symphony X)
Crazy on You (Heart)
Dirt Off Your Shoulder (Jay-Z)
Pinball Wizard (the Who)
Home (Marc Broussard)
Like This (Girl Talk)
Mambo Italiano (Dean Martin)
Maps (Yeah Yeah Yeahs)
In the Garden of Eden (Iron Butterfly)

Find “sex,” how many songs show up? 27
Find “death,” how many songs show up? 45
Find “love,” how many songs show up? 192
Find “peace”, how many songs show up? 10
Find “rock”, how many songs show up? 1162

Your mood:
The Stake (Steve Miller Band)

Your current love life:
A Light On a Hill (Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s)

Song they play at your wedding:
Do It (Nelly Furtado)

Song they play at your funeral
Never There (Cake)

Your dream job:
Wait (Get Set Go)

What you want out of life:
Medula Oblongata (Dust Brothers)

Your first thought when you wake up:
Do You Realize? (the Flaming Lips)

Your life story:
Keep the Car Running (Arcade Fire)

What your friends thing about you:
Lag Time (Ani diFranco)

Why your parents love you:
Where is My Mind? (the Pixies)

What your soulmate will be like
Hands Open (Snow Patrol)

How your life is going lately:
In and Out (U.S. Bombs)

What you will do after this survey:
Pistol Grip Pump (Rage Against the Machine)

The Star

I’m the star of an indie film.

Zack and Miri

I demand to know why Zack and Miri Make a Porno makes me cry.
at multiple scenes, too, not just one.

ridiculous.

Even MORE ridiculous, i cried really really hard at the end of Bolt.
PLEASE explain that!

Face in Hole Adventures

Inaugural Thoughts

Random thoughts as I have them:

-If i was younger, Malia would be such a great role model. Between her poise and general good spirits, she’s a fantastic first daughter. No unruly clubbing here, I expect!

-CNN are cunts for skipping some footage of First Lady in Waiting Michelle Obama in favor of footage of Soon-To-Be Former President Bush walking around. Fuck you guys!

-I could do with less ‘O-BA-MA’ yelling. It won’t help anything, you groundlings.

-They should have had the army band playing the ceremony/procession stuff, the marine band seems to be declining in recent years.

-The phrase ‘power of the ballot over the bullet’ is pretty witty

-Aretha Franklin was a great choice. Since Billie, Ella and Etta aren’t available, this is a pretty good substitution of soul. Not quite sure what’s up with her bow though. Still love her.

-Even though i despise Yo Yo Ma, the little vignette was quite nice. Less cello would have been nice. Wow, did i just say that?

-President Obama’s speech is everything I hoped it would be. Unbiased, inspirational, strong and patriotic.

-Poem: weak, strained metaphors; painful enunciation; some worthless diction; bad writing over all

-the Benediction was beautiful. I cried.

Sandra Day O’Connor arriving <3

Aw, Clintons

the girls

Beautiful

Sweet!

!!!!!

♥ Aretha!

GO JOE!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Notes on the speech:

-Humbled, grateful, mindful = three spectacular choices of opening words.
-Huzzah for peaceful transitions of power
-use of “We the people” faithful to founding docs and ideals of forebearers
-Little long on the list of problems with America…let’s see how he picks it back up.
-hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and dischord
-reaffirm reenduring spirit biblical quote
-very unbiased presentation of American history without potential over simplification of slavery era
-the ‘begin again the work’ section sounds a bit like a Mussolini speech
-’what the cynics fail to notice is that the ground has shifted beneath them’
-helping family as first change listed as whether the govt is functioning
-restoring trust between people and govt
-future of peace and dignity -> America is “ready to lead once more”
-not apologizing or wavering in the defense of our way of life
-our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken
-yes, this moment will definitely define a generation
-Giving our all to a difficult task might as well define our spirit and be the source of our confidence
-Played the race card just enough to make sure we haven’t forgotten who each of us really is, and where we have been, but without excess

Whether this becomes more historic than Woodstock remains to be seen, but I doubt that I will witness a more moving political event. Even once I arrive, I doubt I shall.

Yes, we can.

Dirty Dancing

Two revelations:
1. My inner gold-digger is dead. At least for now, she doesn’t seem to want to be woken up for anything.
2. I’ve officially decided that the first dance at my wedding will be the mambo from the opening scene of Dirty Dancing.

Wild Things

Why today has been a rather fantastic day:
1. Made three round cakes and a tray of cupcakes. More details later. Also made icing.
2. Went to Harrisburg Symphony performance of Mahler’s symphony 9. 90 minutes of glorious semi-consciousness.
3. Went to fantastic Thai place for dinner, had best masaman curry ever.
4. Came home, made house/castle out of cake.
5. For unknown reason, had strong desire to watch Sweet Home Alabama. Was wonderfully girly.
6. Looked at cute pictures of goats.