"On a TV news bulletin, the results of a vox pop item were shown on screen under the heading "Grammer Test"--the spelling of which I assumed was a joke until I realised nobody in the studio was laughing. Meanwhile well-wishers sent hundreds of delightful/horrific examples of idiotic sign-writing, my current favourite being the roadside warning Children Drive Slowly--courtesy of the wonderful Shakespearean actor Timothy West. Evidently, this sign--inadvertently descriptive of the dissapointing road speeds attainable by infants at the wheel--was eventually altered (but sadly not improved) by the addition of a comma, becoming Children, Drive Slowly--a kindly exhortation, perhaps, which might even save lives among those self-same reckless juvenile road-users; but still not quite what the writer really had in mind.
"Carved in stone (in stone, mind you) in a Florida shopping mall one may see the spendidly apt quotation from Euripides, 'Judge a tree from it's fruit: not the leaves'--and it is all too easy to imagine the stone-mason dithering momentarily over that monumental apostrophe, mallet in hand, chisel poised. Can an apostrophe ever be wrong, he asks himself, as he answers 'Nah!' and decisively strikes home and the chips fly out. Meanwhile a casual driver in America is quite as horrifying to a stickler as it is in the UK. Childrens home; readers outlet; please do not lock this door between the hour's of 9AM and 6:30PM.
"Either this will ring bells for you, or it won't. A printed banner has appeared on the concourse of a petrol station near to where I live. 'Come inside,' it says, 'for CD's, VIDEO's, DVD's, and BOOK's.'
If this satantic sprinkling of redundant apostrophes causes no little gasp of horror or quickening of the pulse, you should probably put down this book at once. By all means congratulate yourself that you are not a pedant or even a stickler; that you are happily equipped to live in a world of plummeting punctuation standards; but just don't bother to go any further. For any true stickler, you see, the sight of the plural word 'Book's' with an apostrophe in it will trigger a ghastly private emotional process similar to the stages of bereavement, though greatly accelerated. First there is shock. Within seconds, shock gives way to disbelief, disbelief to pain, and pain to anger. Finally (and this is where the analogy breaks down), anger gives way to a righteous urge to perpetrate an act of criminal damage with the aid of a permanent marker.
"Everywhere one looks, there are signs of ignorance and indifference. What about that film Two Weeks Notice? Guaranteed to give sticklers a very nasty turn, that was - its posters slung along the sides of buses in letters four feet tall, with no apostrophe in sight. I remember, at the start of the Two Weeks Notice publicity campaign in the spring of 2003, emerging cheerfully from Victoria Station (was I whistling?) and stopping dead in my tracks with my fingers in my mouth. Where was the apostrophe? Surely there should be an apostrophe on that bus? If it were 'one month's notice' there would be an apostrophe (I reasoned); yes, and if it were 'one week's notice' there would be an apostrophe. Then 'two weeks' notice' requires an apostrophe! Buses that I should have caught (the 73; two 83s) sailed off up Buckingham Palace Road while I communed thus at length with my inner stickler, unable to move or, indeed, regain any sense of perspective.
"Part of one's despair, of course, is that the world cares nothing for the little shocks endured by the sensitive stickler. While we look in horror at a badly puntuated sign, the world carries on around us, blind to our plight. We are like the little boy in The Sixth Sense who can see dead people, except that we can see dead punctuation. Whisper it in petrified little-boy tones: dead puntuation is invisible to everyone else - yet we see it all the time No one understands us seventh-sense people. They regard us as freaks. When we point out illiterate mistakes we are often aggresively instructed to "get a life" by people who, interestingly, display no evidence of having lives themselves. Naturally we become timid about making our insights known, in such inhospitable conditions. Being burned as a witch is not safely enough off the agenda. A sign has gone up in a local charity-shop window which says, baldly, 'Can you spare any old records' (no question mark) and I dither daily outside on the pavement. Should I go in an mention it? It does matter that there's no question mark on a direct question. It is appaling ignorance. But what will I do if the elderly charity-shop lady gives me the usual disbelieving stare and then tells me to bugger off, get a life and mind my own business?
"On the other hand, I'm well aware there is little profit in asking for sympathy for sticklers. We are not the easiest people to feel sorry for. We refuse to patronise any shop with checkouts for 'eight items or less' (because it should be 'fewer')...When we hear the construction 'Mr. Blair was stood' (instead of 'standing') we suck our teeth with annoyance, and when words such as 'phenomena', 'media' or 'cheribum' are treated as singular ('The media says it was quite a phenomena looking at those cheribums'), some of us cannot suppress actual screams. Sticklers never read a book without a pencil in hand, to correct the typographical errors. In short, we are unattractive know-all obsessives who get things out of proportion and are in continual peril of being disowned by out exasperated families."
-
I could share plenty more with you all, but I'm afraid I'm being terribly obsessive. These are select excerpts from Lynne Truss's brilliant book, Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation. It's amazing; I'm afraid I have finally found someone who relates to my obsessive compulsive disorder over grammar and punctuation. It is such a delight to read this book--I feel as if I could have written it! My mom found it and bought it for me, thinking I would enjoy it, though I had heard many a thing about it from Mrs. Sylvia and Victoria who both described it as "Your book". My mom thought it would be perfect for me, though I had never mentioned it to her before. Great minds think alike, I suppose. Or, my mother knows me all too well. ;)
I'm sure this totally bored all of you, but I felt it my obligation to share it, because it brings me such joy and excitement. Reading this literally brings me to tears simply from laughing so hard. And, alas! An explanation for those who just don't know the proper way to use apostrophes. Not to mention "there" (there, they're, their), "to" (two, to, too), "your" (your, yours [no apostrophe!], you're), and "its" (its [possessive], it's [contraction]). They should make every person who reads, writes and speaks English to read this book. It's incredible!
Alright, I'm leaving now. I'm not having a very good day/week/month, etc...but I didn't feel like dumping that on everyone. Instead, I decided find something to be ebullient about; I think I've been somewhat successful. :)
God bless,
lv
O.A.S.N.
After all of that rambling, you still can't decide if you're a stickler or not? Take the quiz; I got a 100%! ^_^
3.19.2005
come on babe why don't we paint the town
Chicago was amazing!
Rachel and Emily met Mamaw and me at the American Cafe, where we had nervous and/or gay waiter who was simultaneously "flirting with" Emily. He made us very uncomfortable. I think maybe his boss was considering firing him, so he was under a lot of pressure. Or maybe he was just wierd. "Bye Emilyyyy." :-p
We walked over to the theatre where we stood around for a little bit waiting for the doors to open. We went in right at 7:30, as soon as the doors opened, and found our seats--in front of the balcony on the center line of the stage. They were wonderful seats, though personally, I would have liked to be closer (i.e. not in the balcony) so I could see the actors' faces more clearly. Though, I shouldn't be complaining. I should feel bad for those who are literally blind and simply see little blobs of black moving around crazily.
Rachel, Emily and I were contemplating for several minutes whether or not their was an orchestra. We noticed, however, that the orchestra pit was open, and filled with chairs on which people were sitting. A few minutes after our discussion, Emily noted some music, and said it was the orchestra practicing. "That's just background music," I said matter-of-factly. "Nope. They're warming up." The curtain came up, and there was the orchestra - fully outfitted on the stage, outlined by a huge gold frame which was hung at a diagonal angle and it made the orchestra look as if it was a painting that had come to life. The play had limited proppage, but the orchestra was the primary backdrop and it was all incorporated into the play. At one point, Roxie Hart went over the the conductor, showed him a newspaper with her name on it, forced him to read it, and took his stick--attempting to conduct the orchestra herself. Very impressively, they stayed perfectly on tempo, and it made me wonder why they needed a conductor at all. I thought it was extremely clever though--the incorporation of the orchestra with the cast. The conductor even had a speaking part or two, introducing some of the numbers.
The whole play took place in front of the elaborate orchestra set up, and each corp cast member doubled, tripled, even quadrupled as various parts. From prisoners, to club dancers, to reporters, to court observers (and a one man jury), they did it all. And, not only did they switch characters, but a fascinating element was that they never switched costumes from the very beginning. So, kind of odd, but the reporters were wearing the same thing that the club dancers were wearing. In other words, Chicago was full of women in fish nets and 10 inch high heels and men in black leather pants and mesh shirts. So, very little props, almost no costume changes ... and the show was nonstop singing and dancing.
So, was it better than the movie? Well, having seen the movie first, I went into to see the play with that as my expectation, because it was all I knew. At first, I kept comparing the show with the movie. Finally, I had to separate the two deliberately so I would stop anticipating something only to be disappointed when it didn't match the movie. I don't think one is better than the other. I think the play is phenomenal, and if you like the theatre, you'll love the play. I think the movie is awesome as well, but it's a film. It's not the theatre. And they did try very hard to give the feel that it was on stage. But it's not. They are both completely different spectrums, and you can't really compare them. However, I think that the play was more entertaining in terms of the singing and dancing--because it's Broadway. And, you can't top that. Not even with a movie; not even with Catherine Zeta Jones and Renee Zellwegger. It's still a movie and it always will be, and Broadway will always be Broadway.
I'm presently at my mom's office, and anxiously awaiting her to get done with whatever it is she needs to do so we can go the the Town Center. Hm. I wonder if we're always going to call it the Town Center of if we'll always call it the new mall. Or the mall. Or St. Johns. :thinks: Anyway, that's where I'm going when my mom's done. Hopefully I'm going to find a sweater, shoes, and jewelry to go with my dinner cruise dress. :) Hope everyone's having a good Saturday!
God bless,
lv
O.A.S.N.
I don't have any set plans over spring break, though there are some in the making, so let me know what you guys are up to. I'd love to hang out with some lovely people. :) Maybe...the beach when it warms up? ^_^
Rachel and Emily met Mamaw and me at the American Cafe, where we had nervous and/or gay waiter who was simultaneously "flirting with" Emily. He made us very uncomfortable. I think maybe his boss was considering firing him, so he was under a lot of pressure. Or maybe he was just wierd. "Bye Emilyyyy." :-p
We walked over to the theatre where we stood around for a little bit waiting for the doors to open. We went in right at 7:30, as soon as the doors opened, and found our seats--in front of the balcony on the center line of the stage. They were wonderful seats, though personally, I would have liked to be closer (i.e. not in the balcony) so I could see the actors' faces more clearly. Though, I shouldn't be complaining. I should feel bad for those who are literally blind and simply see little blobs of black moving around crazily.
Rachel, Emily and I were contemplating for several minutes whether or not their was an orchestra. We noticed, however, that the orchestra pit was open, and filled with chairs on which people were sitting. A few minutes after our discussion, Emily noted some music, and said it was the orchestra practicing. "That's just background music," I said matter-of-factly. "Nope. They're warming up." The curtain came up, and there was the orchestra - fully outfitted on the stage, outlined by a huge gold frame which was hung at a diagonal angle and it made the orchestra look as if it was a painting that had come to life. The play had limited proppage, but the orchestra was the primary backdrop and it was all incorporated into the play. At one point, Roxie Hart went over the the conductor, showed him a newspaper with her name on it, forced him to read it, and took his stick--attempting to conduct the orchestra herself. Very impressively, they stayed perfectly on tempo, and it made me wonder why they needed a conductor at all. I thought it was extremely clever though--the incorporation of the orchestra with the cast. The conductor even had a speaking part or two, introducing some of the numbers.
The whole play took place in front of the elaborate orchestra set up, and each corp cast member doubled, tripled, even quadrupled as various parts. From prisoners, to club dancers, to reporters, to court observers (and a one man jury), they did it all. And, not only did they switch characters, but a fascinating element was that they never switched costumes from the very beginning. So, kind of odd, but the reporters were wearing the same thing that the club dancers were wearing. In other words, Chicago was full of women in fish nets and 10 inch high heels and men in black leather pants and mesh shirts. So, very little props, almost no costume changes ... and the show was nonstop singing and dancing.
So, was it better than the movie? Well, having seen the movie first, I went into to see the play with that as my expectation, because it was all I knew. At first, I kept comparing the show with the movie. Finally, I had to separate the two deliberately so I would stop anticipating something only to be disappointed when it didn't match the movie. I don't think one is better than the other. I think the play is phenomenal, and if you like the theatre, you'll love the play. I think the movie is awesome as well, but it's a film. It's not the theatre. And they did try very hard to give the feel that it was on stage. But it's not. They are both completely different spectrums, and you can't really compare them. However, I think that the play was more entertaining in terms of the singing and dancing--because it's Broadway. And, you can't top that. Not even with a movie; not even with Catherine Zeta Jones and Renee Zellwegger. It's still a movie and it always will be, and Broadway will always be Broadway.
I'm presently at my mom's office, and anxiously awaiting her to get done with whatever it is she needs to do so we can go the the Town Center. Hm. I wonder if we're always going to call it the Town Center of if we'll always call it the new mall. Or the mall. Or St. Johns. :thinks: Anyway, that's where I'm going when my mom's done. Hopefully I'm going to find a sweater, shoes, and jewelry to go with my dinner cruise dress. :) Hope everyone's having a good Saturday!
God bless,
lv
O.A.S.N.
I don't have any set plans over spring break, though there are some in the making, so let me know what you guys are up to. I'd love to hang out with some lovely people. :) Maybe...the beach when it warms up? ^_^
3.18.2005
can't go over it . can't go under it . oh no . have to go through it
Well, I made it through the week guys! I didn't think it possible, but God held my hand and let me through it. Boy am I glad to be through that icky mess.
Spring break officially begins today, and I'm starting it off with a bang, literally, by going to see Broadway's production of Chicago--primarily about a woman, Roxie Hart, who murders her husband with a gun (>>there's the bang for you<<) and sings and dancers her way out of prison alongside Velma. How exciting! Haha. Mamaw, my grandmother, is my escort and Rachel and her older sister Emily are also coming with us. So, it should be a fun night. I'm bringing my camera with me. :)
The juniors are in DC and the seniors are in New York. According the Austin, the juniors are having a great time. I haven't talked to any of the seniors, but I would hope and assume that they are having a blast as well. I am highly anticipating my trip to New York this summer! June 6 (happy birthday em) cannot come fast enough. :eek: Oh, speaking of New York (and Broadway), I wanted to ask some of your opinions. While in NYC, we usually go to see 4, maybe 5 broadway shows. I've compiled a list of those which I personally desire to see, but I was wondering a) if anyone had opinions on my picks and b) if anyone had any other ideas and suggestions. You can go to Broadway.com to see which shows will be playing this summer. I don't know how many of you are into the Musical Theatre thing, but it's very exciting. Here is my "suggested list of Broadway musicals to see in New York City, summer of 2005":
Spring break officially begins today, and I'm starting it off with a bang, literally, by going to see Broadway's production of Chicago--primarily about a woman, Roxie Hart, who murders her husband with a gun (>>there's the bang for you<<) and sings and dancers her way out of prison alongside Velma. How exciting! Haha. Mamaw, my grandmother, is my escort and Rachel and her older sister Emily are also coming with us. So, it should be a fun night. I'm bringing my camera with me. :)
The juniors are in DC and the seniors are in New York. According the Austin, the juniors are having a great time. I haven't talked to any of the seniors, but I would hope and assume that they are having a blast as well. I am highly anticipating my trip to New York this summer! June 6 (happy birthday em) cannot come fast enough. :eek: Oh, speaking of New York (and Broadway), I wanted to ask some of your opinions. While in NYC, we usually go to see 4, maybe 5 broadway shows. I've compiled a list of those which I personally desire to see, but I was wondering a) if anyone had opinions on my picks and b) if anyone had any other ideas and suggestions. You can go to Broadway.com to see which shows will be playing this summer. I don't know how many of you are into the Musical Theatre thing, but it's very exciting. Here is my "suggested list of Broadway musicals to see in New York City, summer of 2005":
- Wicked
- The Phantom of the Opera
- Little Women
- The Light in the Piazza
- Disney's Beauty and the Beast
- Disney's The Lion King
- Fiddler on the Roof
- The Producers
- The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
- Steel Magnolias (not a musical)
- Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf (not a musical)
Okay, so, I'm a nerd. What can I say? Anyway, let me know your opinions! I'd especially love to hear from those of you who have actually seen some of these. ^_^
Hope you're all doing wonderfully, and if your spring break is just beginning...maybe it be a safe and blessed week off!
God bless,
lv
3.07.2005
and so it begins
And so it begins...the dreaded days of exams. I don't even understand the point of third quarter exams anyway. It's just another excuse for us to be stressed, to be tested, and to be disappointed when you don't do as well as you had hoped, despite your studious efforts. Oh yes. Welcome to exam week. :sigh:
I had an interesting day. I think it's one of those weeks, because, I was feeling slightly emotional and irritable. From the beginning of the day, I was ready to go crawl in a corner and hide. I was completely unfocused, unmotivated and uninterested in anything anyone (including teachers -- which is a really bad thing the day before exams begin) had to say. The only good part of the day was lunch with Erin, Amye, and Lauren. That's gotten to be quite wonderful, especially when we sit outside. Sitting outside puts me in a good mood. It was very nice out today too--very quiet and tranquil. Those girls make me laugh. They're very fun to eat lunch with. :) We have some very interesting conversations about :cough:coachmartin:cough:. Ahem.
We also got our artist essays back today in English .. and it put me in a bitter mood. I'm not even going to attempt to explain to everyone why, but just accept it. Haha. Just for the record, getting good grades is not always as fun and dandy as it may seem. They come with their price as well. :humph: I'll leave that free to personal interpretation.
So, I have to get through this week. Just this week. After this week, I'll be done with this hip hop dance that Katie and Max are absolutely brilliant at but that I want to run away and cry everytime it's mentioned (okay, I'm exaggerating). After this week, I'll be done with all of these review guides and 45 minute exams. After this week, I can look forward to going to see Chicago with Mamaw, Rachel, and Emily. After this week, I might be able to finally get caught up with my confirmation workbook that Ellie and I haven't really been working in much. After this week, I should be able to breathe a little bit again. I can't wait for this week to get over!
Well, I should run and squeeze in a bit of studying time before dance. Exam week is a bad time to be unmotivated, aye? I wish you all a good week, and, for my sake and anyone else's who is experiencing trauma similar to mine ...
God bless,
lv
O.A.S.N.
Emily and Tiffany: You guys are amazing. Thanks. :-D
I had an interesting day. I think it's one of those weeks, because, I was feeling slightly emotional and irritable. From the beginning of the day, I was ready to go crawl in a corner and hide. I was completely unfocused, unmotivated and uninterested in anything anyone (including teachers -- which is a really bad thing the day before exams begin) had to say. The only good part of the day was lunch with Erin, Amye, and Lauren. That's gotten to be quite wonderful, especially when we sit outside. Sitting outside puts me in a good mood. It was very nice out today too--very quiet and tranquil. Those girls make me laugh. They're very fun to eat lunch with. :) We have some very interesting conversations about :cough:coachmartin:cough:. Ahem.
We also got our artist essays back today in English .. and it put me in a bitter mood. I'm not even going to attempt to explain to everyone why, but just accept it. Haha. Just for the record, getting good grades is not always as fun and dandy as it may seem. They come with their price as well. :humph: I'll leave that free to personal interpretation.
So, I have to get through this week. Just this week. After this week, I'll be done with this hip hop dance that Katie and Max are absolutely brilliant at but that I want to run away and cry everytime it's mentioned (okay, I'm exaggerating). After this week, I'll be done with all of these review guides and 45 minute exams. After this week, I can look forward to going to see Chicago with Mamaw, Rachel, and Emily. After this week, I might be able to finally get caught up with my confirmation workbook that Ellie and I haven't really been working in much. After this week, I should be able to breathe a little bit again. I can't wait for this week to get over!
Well, I should run and squeeze in a bit of studying time before dance. Exam week is a bad time to be unmotivated, aye? I wish you all a good week, and, for my sake and anyone else's who is experiencing trauma similar to mine ...
"Life may not be the party we thought it'd be,Thanks to Victoria for that uplifting quote, by the way.
but since we're here, we might as well dance!"
God bless,
lv
O.A.S.N.
Emily and Tiffany: You guys are amazing. Thanks. :-D
3.03.2005
can anybody fly this thing before my head explodes
I haven't had much to blog about in the past few weeks. I've been a fairly boring person leading a typically boring lifestyle. I have, however, been thinking about a lot of different things in these boring moments I've had recently. Mind you, boring does not imply that I have nothing to do--there is always something more to be done. There is rarely time for me to breathe on my own, much less sit and be bored. Boring moments, however, come with stress, and with boring moments comes time to ponder (for me, anywho).
We just got done reading H.G. Wells's Time Machine, and are being tested on it tomorrow. I strongly disliked the book, as I have never really taken much of a fancy to science fiction. It was slightly adventurous and exciting seeing as Mrs. Sylvia was teaching it, but the book itself was "dreadful" (to put it in Tiffany's terms). I found quite a few loops holes, which Mrs. Sylvia said many scholars, if you will, had publicy pointed out and scoffed at the many mistakes which were hidden beneath the surface of Time Machine. Needless to say, the movie (from the 1960's; not the God-awful one from several years ago which only made everything worse) was not any better--in fact, it may have been worse. I don't want to undermine Wells, because he must have been quite a brilliant man. He had a vision for this book, but I think it was much clearer in his head than it was on paper. So, besides the dull writing, the list of loop holes, and the unclear situations, the concept was very interesting. The Time Traveller, or Wells if they are one in the same, is very pessimistic about the future of mankind which is one of his incentives to travel through what he refers to as "the fourth dimension". After his travels, his pessimism is only increased because of the tragic fate that had come upon the world in the year 802, 701. Humans have apparently evolved through the course of the years into small, dwarf like creatures called Eloi who spend all their days laughing, bathing and playing in the sun. There is no intellect, no knowledge, and no depth. They are entirely vapid and apathetic. He visits a library, and finds the books there are only held together by the dust -- one touch, and they would crumble instantly. His frustration increases when he finds that the human race has actually been split into two drastically divided creatures: not only the oblivious, shallow Eloi, but also the pallid, disturbing Morlocks. I won't ruin anything more for you all who haven't read the book, but, I wanted to discuss the Traveller's pessimism and the reason I think he is entirely wrong.
What is the point of all of knowledge of today, and the inreasing advances we have every moment in technology and intellect of any importance if, in the end, it will simply be decaying in a rotted library? And, from a Christian perspective, why would God have even given us the opportunity for advancement if it was simply going to be useless to us in the future? We must embrace knowledge and intellect, as the narrator of Time Machine does. Despite the Time Traveller's incredible stories of futurity and the decay of knowledge and technology, the narrator (whose name I think is mentioned once as Hillyard--once more than any of the other human characters' names are mentioned) chooses to look upon the future of mankind with optimism and hope, represented by the unidentifiable species of flower which Weena, a friend of the Traveller's from the dark futuric age, gives to the Traveller and which he brings home to show as a token of his travels. I am so thankful that this awful place which the Traveller went to and experienced is not what we have in store for us. I can say this with authority, because I know God has created us as wise, brilliant people in His image. When that is gone (when we are gone), there will be no more earth. There certainly won't be fuzzy little teddy bears and skinny white apes running around controlling it. If this was Wells's outlook on life, and the eventual fate of mankind, I pity him greatly--for he must have lived a dreadful life drinking a half empty glass of water.
Whew. I'm sure you all were incredibly interested in all of that nonsense. :-p But, I had to think of something to talk about! Tomorrow is Friday, and I am so grateful for it. Next week we have quarter exams, Friday the 11th we have a half day, Monday the 14th through Thursday the 17th we have Stanford Achievement Tests which means half days, and no regular classes, Friday the 18th we have off, and Monday the 21st through Friday the 25th we have Spring Break! What a fabulous schedule I have to look forward to. :) Lots of down time; hopefully I will get some good quality reading time and maybe even become well acquainted with the vacuum which needs to come visit my bedroom! Haha.
I wish you all a wonderful Friday, and an exciting weekend. And, for those of you who have been there for me recently, and have been wonderful listeners (you know who you are ^_^), I appreciate it more than I could say. Thanks. :)
God Bless,
lv
~On A Side Note~
Congratulations to:
*Jericha: Miss Congeniality (love the poem, by the way. It was fabulous)
*JuliAnne: Most Photogenic and 2nd runner up (Ah! Your sign language was beautiful--very heart felt and meaningful)
*My should-have-been-big-sister, Austin: Most Talented and 1st runner up (You danced so beautifully, and nearly moved me to tears. Ee; I was so proud of you!)
* Katie: Miss Providence 2005-2006 (We probably couldn't have a picked a more sweet, gentle-spirited person than you to represent our school!)
*And to everyone who competed in the pageant: You all were so wonderful, and each of you deserve to represent the school invidiually. You don't have to be Miss Providence to make an impact. Go out, and be the people that I saw on the stage Friday night. Live the way you told the audience you want to live, and be a light to God's kingdom!
We just got done reading H.G. Wells's Time Machine, and are being tested on it tomorrow. I strongly disliked the book, as I have never really taken much of a fancy to science fiction. It was slightly adventurous and exciting seeing as Mrs. Sylvia was teaching it, but the book itself was "dreadful" (to put it in Tiffany's terms). I found quite a few loops holes, which Mrs. Sylvia said many scholars, if you will, had publicy pointed out and scoffed at the many mistakes which were hidden beneath the surface of Time Machine. Needless to say, the movie (from the 1960's; not the God-awful one from several years ago which only made everything worse) was not any better--in fact, it may have been worse. I don't want to undermine Wells, because he must have been quite a brilliant man. He had a vision for this book, but I think it was much clearer in his head than it was on paper. So, besides the dull writing, the list of loop holes, and the unclear situations, the concept was very interesting. The Time Traveller, or Wells if they are one in the same, is very pessimistic about the future of mankind which is one of his incentives to travel through what he refers to as "the fourth dimension". After his travels, his pessimism is only increased because of the tragic fate that had come upon the world in the year 802, 701. Humans have apparently evolved through the course of the years into small, dwarf like creatures called Eloi who spend all their days laughing, bathing and playing in the sun. There is no intellect, no knowledge, and no depth. They are entirely vapid and apathetic. He visits a library, and finds the books there are only held together by the dust -- one touch, and they would crumble instantly. His frustration increases when he finds that the human race has actually been split into two drastically divided creatures: not only the oblivious, shallow Eloi, but also the pallid, disturbing Morlocks. I won't ruin anything more for you all who haven't read the book, but, I wanted to discuss the Traveller's pessimism and the reason I think he is entirely wrong.
What is the point of all of knowledge of today, and the inreasing advances we have every moment in technology and intellect of any importance if, in the end, it will simply be decaying in a rotted library? And, from a Christian perspective, why would God have even given us the opportunity for advancement if it was simply going to be useless to us in the future? We must embrace knowledge and intellect, as the narrator of Time Machine does. Despite the Time Traveller's incredible stories of futurity and the decay of knowledge and technology, the narrator (whose name I think is mentioned once as Hillyard--once more than any of the other human characters' names are mentioned) chooses to look upon the future of mankind with optimism and hope, represented by the unidentifiable species of flower which Weena, a friend of the Traveller's from the dark futuric age, gives to the Traveller and which he brings home to show as a token of his travels. I am so thankful that this awful place which the Traveller went to and experienced is not what we have in store for us. I can say this with authority, because I know God has created us as wise, brilliant people in His image. When that is gone (when we are gone), there will be no more earth. There certainly won't be fuzzy little teddy bears and skinny white apes running around controlling it. If this was Wells's outlook on life, and the eventual fate of mankind, I pity him greatly--for he must have lived a dreadful life drinking a half empty glass of water.
Whew. I'm sure you all were incredibly interested in all of that nonsense. :-p But, I had to think of something to talk about! Tomorrow is Friday, and I am so grateful for it. Next week we have quarter exams, Friday the 11th we have a half day, Monday the 14th through Thursday the 17th we have Stanford Achievement Tests which means half days, and no regular classes, Friday the 18th we have off, and Monday the 21st through Friday the 25th we have Spring Break! What a fabulous schedule I have to look forward to. :) Lots of down time; hopefully I will get some good quality reading time and maybe even become well acquainted with the vacuum which needs to come visit my bedroom! Haha.
I wish you all a wonderful Friday, and an exciting weekend. And, for those of you who have been there for me recently, and have been wonderful listeners (you know who you are ^_^), I appreciate it more than I could say. Thanks. :)
God Bless,
lv
~On A Side Note~
Congratulations to:
*Jericha: Miss Congeniality (love the poem, by the way. It was fabulous)
*JuliAnne: Most Photogenic and 2nd runner up (Ah! Your sign language was beautiful--very heart felt and meaningful)
*My should-have-been-big-sister, Austin: Most Talented and 1st runner up (You danced so beautifully, and nearly moved me to tears. Ee; I was so proud of you!)
* Katie: Miss Providence 2005-2006 (We probably couldn't have a picked a more sweet, gentle-spirited person than you to represent our school!)
*And to everyone who competed in the pageant: You all were so wonderful, and each of you deserve to represent the school invidiually. You don't have to be Miss Providence to make an impact. Go out, and be the people that I saw on the stage Friday night. Live the way you told the audience you want to live, and be a light to God's kingdom!
2.19.2005
if grown-ups could laugh this slow
Yes, I know I began my last post talking about Melanie, snow, and Austria...but I just have to do again. She sent me pictures, and they literally brought tears to my eyes. Being in Epcot made me miss Europe enough, and then to see these amazingly gorgeous pictures - wow. I really have to go back soon. Anyway, I'm going to share these pictures with you all:
Austrian snow, and snow covered mountains
A snowy hill
There is also a picture of Melanie's city in Innsbruck, but for some reason, it's not uploading. So, when I put it online, I'll add a link - because I think it's the most gorgeous little city ever, and I want ya'll to see it! :-p
Oh, there's something else I wanted to share with everyone. A couple of posts back, I found this article by Tony Pierce about blogging, and I posted it because I found it humourous and informative. Well, this guy came and commented on this post of mine, telling me that he was flattered, and appreciated my grammatical corrections. :-p Anyway, I go to his website again and am looking around ... and it seems that he's really more than just a random guy with nothing better to do than blog. Okay, the second part might be true, but he's not really just a random guy. He's actually written a book, How to Blog, and I think, based on his bloggings, that he is very intricately involved with very important people in the blogging/computering/internet world. Anywho, I just found this extremely interesting - and if he ever comes back, please be nice to him. He has the power to shut down my blog and everyone else's with it. ;) Haha.
So, Epcot was an absolute blast. I'd never been there, along with lots of other people in my "walkaround group" so we had a fun time getting oriented. 10 of us walked around the park together, and it was awesome. At first, I felt very strange being at Disney World without my parents. Then, as the day went along, I realized that I wasn't sure I could ever go back to a theme park without friends. It was nice, because we weren't required to have a chaparone with us - in fact, Mrs. Dill flat told us that she didn't want to see us all day except for the 2 check-in times that we had. So, we were able to be "big kids" and make our own decisions and have a lot of fun. I mean, even waiting in lines was exciting! We were playing concentration, trust falling, making jokes, laughing, slipping; it was awesome. And, the only real conflict we had was deciding where to eat. But, what else is new? Haha. Italy was crowded (or saw we thought...), France didn't open until 5, the Pub food looked wierd, Mexico was too far away, we had eaten at China for lunch...so we just went to the Electric Umbrella and had hamburgers, hotdogs, sandwiches, etc. Ah, good ol' America. Anyway, I've compiled a list of some sort...
Liza, Erin, Rachel, me, Katie, Andrea, Victoria and Katie in front of the infamous fountain.
Austrian snow, and snow covered mountains
A snowy hill
There is also a picture of Melanie's city in Innsbruck, but for some reason, it's not uploading. So, when I put it online, I'll add a link - because I think it's the most gorgeous little city ever, and I want ya'll to see it! :-p
Oh, there's something else I wanted to share with everyone. A couple of posts back, I found this article by Tony Pierce about blogging, and I posted it because I found it humourous and informative. Well, this guy came and commented on this post of mine, telling me that he was flattered, and appreciated my grammatical corrections. :-p Anyway, I go to his website again and am looking around ... and it seems that he's really more than just a random guy with nothing better to do than blog. Okay, the second part might be true, but he's not really just a random guy. He's actually written a book, How to Blog, and I think, based on his bloggings, that he is very intricately involved with very important people in the blogging/computering/internet world. Anywho, I just found this extremely interesting - and if he ever comes back, please be nice to him. He has the power to shut down my blog and everyone else's with it. ;) Haha.
So, Epcot was an absolute blast. I'd never been there, along with lots of other people in my "walkaround group" so we had a fun time getting oriented. 10 of us walked around the park together, and it was awesome. At first, I felt very strange being at Disney World without my parents. Then, as the day went along, I realized that I wasn't sure I could ever go back to a theme park without friends. It was nice, because we weren't required to have a chaparone with us - in fact, Mrs. Dill flat told us that she didn't want to see us all day except for the 2 check-in times that we had. So, we were able to be "big kids" and make our own decisions and have a lot of fun. I mean, even waiting in lines was exciting! We were playing concentration, trust falling, making jokes, laughing, slipping; it was awesome. And, the only real conflict we had was deciding where to eat. But, what else is new? Haha. Italy was crowded (or saw we thought...), France didn't open until 5, the Pub food looked wierd, Mexico was too far away, we had eaten at China for lunch...so we just went to the Electric Umbrella and had hamburgers, hotdogs, sandwiches, etc. Ah, good ol' America. Anyway, I've compiled a list of some sort...
Liza, Erin, Rachel, me, Katie, Andrea, Victoria and Katie in front of the infamous fountain.
10 Reasons to go to Disney World/Theme Parks without your parents and with friends (in no particular order):
- There are no obnoxious plans: "We have to do this organized. First, we'll walk this way and do this, then wa'll walk toward this and on the way do that, blah blah blah." You get the picture.
- You are willing to wait in a line for 90 minutes, because you decide that that's the nature of theme parks, and there's not much else to do. Where as parents will get grumpy because they want to cram in as much as possible in the wee little space of time you have to be there.
- You can have fun in lines. Rather than being in a line and arguing with your little brother about how much longer it's going to be based entirely on assumption, you can spend your time laughing, catching up, making jokes and skipping each other all the way through the tangled web of massive people - be it for 90 minutes or 1 minute.
- You can eat as much junk food as you want (or as you can afford, since you don't have your parents standing beside you dishing out all of their cash) without someone nagging at you: "You don't need that. You've already had a cookie. You should eat healthy..." Give me a break. We're at Disney World! 99.9 percent of their profits come from the food we stuff in our mouths. You don't want Disney to close down, do you? :eek: Okay, sorry.
- You don't have to go into all the boring places and read about all the boring historical stuff that we learn about in school. You see, parents have forgotten about all of that stuff, and for some reason, they feel the need to re-teach themselves all of this information that went in one ear and out the other, and they attempt to teach it to us, though we already know all of it. Haha. I had to laugh though when the group of us didn't even pay any attention to the buildings unless it had an "attraction" sign beside it. There were a few places I wanted to go in, i.e. the British castle, but it wasn't a ride, so we weren't allowed. :-p But, it was nice to not have parents trying to shove all of this information into your face.
- You can spend as much time as you'd like in the gift shops. But, once again, not nescessarily spend as much money, because you don't have your money tree with you. Of course, whatever money you do have probably came from that tree, anyway. It's just limited at the present time (Mine was limited to $40, which barely covered my 2 small meals).
- You can goof off and play with all the random toys without having parents yelling at you to "not touch something unless you're going to buy it." Blah. What fun is that? We tried on all sorts of hats and took pictures with them. That never happens with parents - unless you're going to buy the hats.
- You can sing as loud as you want, and the only people who are annoyed are the ones around you, who usually don't have the nerve to ask you to shut up.
- You can ride the rides as many times as you please.
- You don't have to "be in [anyone's] sight at all times." Though a buddy system is a good idea. :-p
Well, I just thought I'd share those thoughts with you, since that's what a blog is for - I think. We have a competition tomorrow, and we practiced hard today, so hopefully that will go well. I'm also hoping to meet with Ellie, my mentoree, tomorrow for the first time, so I'll need lots of prayer for that! I'm praying that it goes well and that I'm an example for her. It will be a challenge, because she is 15 as well, so I really need to work on being her mentor, but keep her on the same level, since, she basically is (besides being in 9th grade). The scary thing is...she's probably taller than me! Haha. Anyway guys, I would appreciate prayer for this. Let me know if there's anything I can pray about for you all. Whether you're struggling with something, you need healing, whatever the case may be ... I would love to pray for you, so please let me know what I can do.
Have an awesome 3 day weekend, ya'll. :)
God bless,
lv
P.S. Yesterday was Spencer's birthday! I didn't see him at all :( But, if you guys see or talk to him, please give him some birthday love. ^_^
P.S.S. Another note: Blogger has updated its commenting structure, so you can now enter your name and webpage instead of posting anonymously, and you don't have to be a member of blogger. So, that way, I won't have a bunch of anonymous posts that aren't really anonymous! Fabulous, aye? I think so. Let me know if you computer illiterate people (no offense -- just stating facts :-p) have some trouble with this setup. :)
2.05.2005
snow . sleep . stupor
According to Mel, it's been snowing in Austria for the past three days. I am insanely jealous. Well, maybe not insanely, but how incredibly beautiful must that be? Those gorgeous mountains just covered in pure, white, snow. I've seen the mountains in North Carolina covered in snow, and that took my breath away. I can hardly imagine a snow-covered Austria. I asked her to take some pictures for me...^_^
Well, I'm still very haggard and ill. I went to school yesterday, and hardly lasted first period. By third period, Katie was dragging me to the office and forcing me to call my parents. I didn't get a hold of them until I tried again at lunch ... and Dad came to pick me up at the end of sixth period (though I had been sitting in the office the whole time). Funny thing, I realized that of the 5 periods I went to, I slept in 4 of them; I never sleep in class! I guess everyone told the teachers that I was feeling very sick though, and they probably figured as much since they would never dream of seeing me ignoring them in such a rude manner. Mrs. Dill (First period - the class I didn't sleep in) even asked me to babysit for her this weekend; it would be Marissa's first baby-sitter ever! I had to regretfully tell her that I was sick. We were both sad. :( In Bio, we watched a movie and were quizzed on it, but I couldn't even focus. I felt brain fried. English, after I took the Vocab quiz (Got a 100%; my only accomplishment of the day), I put my head down and fell asleep. Mrs. Sylvia came over and was petting me on my head. :-p Brad says, "Could you please refrain from petting Leslie?" Mrs. Sylvia then replies, unimpressed by Brad's use of our easiest vocab word this year, "No, I will not. The poor lamb is ill." Sweet Mrs. Sylvia. Where would the world be without Mrs. Syvlias? There certainly wouldn't be many lambs around. After third, we went to Class Meetings and Clubs, both of which I slept through after being prodded by several teachers. Mr. Starkweather: "Trying to sleep, aye?" I looked up at him so pitifully, whilst my friends caught him up on my stupor state. "Ah, you don't look so good," he finally said before walking away. I just nodded. Bible, we watched a movie, and despite Mr. Overman's pre-movie speech to not sleep, talk or do other work, I fell asleep anyway. I couldn't keep my eyes open. As I was leaving, he gave me a hug and told he hoped I felt better. Atleast he understood. Then, in math, we had a sub, and we were doing some complicated concept that Mr. Cally never taught us ... so I just slept. Coats told Mrs. Hedges that I was sick, and she apparently let me sleep. By lunch, I felt so ill, I went and asked Spencer if he could take me home. He walked me to the office, and befriended Mrs. Rizzo. It's amazing how much nicer she is to me when Spencer's around! Jeepers - I should just take him with me everywhere. So, I called Daddy and got a hold of him, and he said he would come as soon as possible. I went and finished lunch (though I was too ill to actually eat anything), got my stuff together, and sat in the office for 30 minutes. I was so relieved to see Dad walking in the doors.
So, that was my day yesterday. After that, I came home, layed on the couch, and watched movie after movie after movie: The first part of Elizabeth (which finally came from Netflix on Thursday!), Paparazzi (which was extremely dissapointing), and Shall We Dance (which I found terribly boring, but it could have something to do with the fact that I felt awful and could hardly focus). Mom came home with a large soft-chocolate ice cream from Dairy Queen for me, so the 10 minutes I spent eating that I felt awfully good. It's very soothing to the throat. The fam watched TV for a little bit, and then everyone fell asleep (I was having trouble falling asleep because my sinuses were awful), so I took the portable DVD player to my bedroom and finished Elizabeth. Actually, I dozed off, and finished it this morning. It's a fabulous film! Granted, there are some disturbing moments, but it's so accurate to the 1500's. Cate Blanchett was brilliant as Elizabeth; she vividly and articulately brought her to life. I enjoyed it immensely, despite my awful state.
I woke up this morning, ate some toast, then went back to sleep for 2 hours. I want to sleep more, but it's so hard to fall asleep because my nose is so stuffy and my head is so heavy.
I only hope that you all are feeling well, and aren't under the same weather I seem to be stuck in. Have a fabulous weekend!
God bless,
lv
Well, I'm still very haggard and ill. I went to school yesterday, and hardly lasted first period. By third period, Katie was dragging me to the office and forcing me to call my parents. I didn't get a hold of them until I tried again at lunch ... and Dad came to pick me up at the end of sixth period (though I had been sitting in the office the whole time). Funny thing, I realized that of the 5 periods I went to, I slept in 4 of them; I never sleep in class! I guess everyone told the teachers that I was feeling very sick though, and they probably figured as much since they would never dream of seeing me ignoring them in such a rude manner. Mrs. Dill (First period - the class I didn't sleep in) even asked me to babysit for her this weekend; it would be Marissa's first baby-sitter ever! I had to regretfully tell her that I was sick. We were both sad. :( In Bio, we watched a movie and were quizzed on it, but I couldn't even focus. I felt brain fried. English, after I took the Vocab quiz (Got a 100%; my only accomplishment of the day), I put my head down and fell asleep. Mrs. Sylvia came over and was petting me on my head. :-p Brad says, "Could you please refrain from petting Leslie?" Mrs. Sylvia then replies, unimpressed by Brad's use of our easiest vocab word this year, "No, I will not. The poor lamb is ill." Sweet Mrs. Sylvia. Where would the world be without Mrs. Syvlias? There certainly wouldn't be many lambs around. After third, we went to Class Meetings and Clubs, both of which I slept through after being prodded by several teachers. Mr. Starkweather: "Trying to sleep, aye?" I looked up at him so pitifully, whilst my friends caught him up on my stupor state. "Ah, you don't look so good," he finally said before walking away. I just nodded. Bible, we watched a movie, and despite Mr. Overman's pre-movie speech to not sleep, talk or do other work, I fell asleep anyway. I couldn't keep my eyes open. As I was leaving, he gave me a hug and told he hoped I felt better. Atleast he understood. Then, in math, we had a sub, and we were doing some complicated concept that Mr. Cally never taught us ... so I just slept. Coats told Mrs. Hedges that I was sick, and she apparently let me sleep. By lunch, I felt so ill, I went and asked Spencer if he could take me home. He walked me to the office, and befriended Mrs. Rizzo. It's amazing how much nicer she is to me when Spencer's around! Jeepers - I should just take him with me everywhere. So, I called Daddy and got a hold of him, and he said he would come as soon as possible. I went and finished lunch (though I was too ill to actually eat anything), got my stuff together, and sat in the office for 30 minutes. I was so relieved to see Dad walking in the doors.
So, that was my day yesterday. After that, I came home, layed on the couch, and watched movie after movie after movie: The first part of Elizabeth (which finally came from Netflix on Thursday!), Paparazzi (which was extremely dissapointing), and Shall We Dance (which I found terribly boring, but it could have something to do with the fact that I felt awful and could hardly focus). Mom came home with a large soft-chocolate ice cream from Dairy Queen for me, so the 10 minutes I spent eating that I felt awfully good. It's very soothing to the throat. The fam watched TV for a little bit, and then everyone fell asleep (I was having trouble falling asleep because my sinuses were awful), so I took the portable DVD player to my bedroom and finished Elizabeth. Actually, I dozed off, and finished it this morning. It's a fabulous film! Granted, there are some disturbing moments, but it's so accurate to the 1500's. Cate Blanchett was brilliant as Elizabeth; she vividly and articulately brought her to life. I enjoyed it immensely, despite my awful state.
I woke up this morning, ate some toast, then went back to sleep for 2 hours. I want to sleep more, but it's so hard to fall asleep because my nose is so stuffy and my head is so heavy.
I only hope that you all are feeling well, and aren't under the same weather I seem to be stuck in. Have a fabulous weekend!
God bless,
lv
2.03.2005
ugh
Is it just me, or is everyone and their mom sick? :sniff: I feel like my head is swimming around in a fish bowl. Oh, the joys of sinus infections. I know 3 people with mono, 2 people with bronchitis, classes have been half empty because so many kids are out sick. Is our world infested?
If you're sick, I'm officially issuing you a Get Well Soon Card. :-p
God Bless,
lv
[Sorry for the short post, I'm just hardly up to using my brain at the moment.]
If you're sick, I'm officially issuing you a Get Well Soon Card. :-p
God Bless,
lv
[Sorry for the short post, I'm just hardly up to using my brain at the moment.]
1.29.2005
blogging for dummies
I came across this article yesterday, and I found it quite humorous and interesting. I wouldn't nescessarily heed all of Tony's advice, though he has a lot of good things to say. He seems to be a "pro-blogger", if there is such a thing. I've edited most of it, because Tony seems to have a problem with using apostrophes. And, anywhere you see a missing number or an ellipsis (...), that means that I have cut out some of Tony's words. And where you see [brackets], I have changed his word to a softer, less harsh one of my own or added new words where I felt nescessary. ;) Anyway, I wanted to share this with you all, because I think a lot of people should take some of what he says and apply it to their blogs. Especially the part about changing my cursor to a butterfly. Ugh. I can't stand that! Once again, I will remind you all that I don't agree with all that he said. What I don't agree with, however, I find humorous. Hopefully it will give you a good laugh as well. :)
~
how to blog by tony pierce, 110
1. Write every day.
2. If you think you're a good writer, write twice a day.
3. Don't be afraid to do anything. In fact, if you're afraid of something, do it. Then do it again. And again.
5. Don't tell your mom, your work, your friends, the people you want to date, or the people you want to work for about your blog. If they find out and you'd rather they didn't read it, ask them nicely to grant you your privacy.
6. Have comments. Don't be upset if no one writes in your comments for a long time. Eventually they'll write in there. If people start acting mean in your comments, ask them to stop; they probably will.
7. Have an email address clearly displayed on your blog. Sometimes people want to tell you that you rock in private.
8. Don't worry very much about the design of your blog. Image is a fakeout.
9. Use Blogger. It's easy, it's free; and because they are owned by Google, your blog will get spidered better, you will show up in more search results, and more people will end up at your blog. Besides, all the other blogging software & alternatives pretty much suck.
10. Use spellcheck unless you're completely, totally keeping it real. But even then you might want to use it if you think you wrote something really good.
11. Say exactly what you want to say no matter what it looks like on the screen. Then say something else. Then keep going. And when you're done, re-read it, edit it, hit publish and forget about it.
12. Link like crazy. Link anyone who links you, link your favorites, link your friends. Don't be a prude. Linking is what seperates bloggers from apes. And especially link if you're trying to prove a point and someone else said it first. It lends credibility even if you're full of [crap].
13. If you haven't written about...religion and politics in a week, you're probably playing it too safe, which means you probably [messed] up on #5, in which case [you should] start a second blog and keep your big mouth shut about it this time.
14. Remember: nobody cares which N*Sync member you are, what State you are, which Party of Five kid you are, or which Weezer song you are. The second you put one of those things on your blog you need to delete your blog and try out for the marching band. Similarly, nobody gives a [crap] what the weather is like in your town, nobody wants you to change their cursor into a butterfly, nobody wants to vote on whether your blog is hot or not, and nobody gives a rat's [butt] what song you're listening to. Write something Real for you, about you, every day. (See, I slightly (personally) disagree with the part about "what song you're listening to", because, :shrug:, I kind of enjoy finding out what songs people are listening to, what mood they're in, etc. I think it's interesting, and sort of sets up for their blog post. It almost gives you an idea of who they are.)
15. Don't be afraid if you think something has been said before. It has. And better. Big whoop. Say it anyway using your own words as honestly as you can. Just let it out.
16. Get Site Meter and make it available for everyone to see. If you're embarrassed that not a lot of people are clicking over to your page, don't be embarrassed by the number, be embarrassed that you actually give a crap about hits to your gay blog. It really is just a blog. And hits really don't mean anything. You want Site Meter, though, to see who is linking you so you can thank them and so you can link them back. Similarly, use Technorati, but don't obsess. Write.
17. People like pictures. Use them. Save them to your own server, or use Blogger's free service. If you don't know how to do it, learn. Also get a Buzznet account. Several things will happen once you start blogging, one of them is you will learn new things. That's a good thing.
18. Before you hit Save as Draft or Publish Post, select all and copy your masterpiece. You are using a computer and the internet, [bad stuff] can happen. No need to lose a good post.
19. Push the envelope in what you're writing about and how you're saying it. Be more and more honest. Get to the root of things. Start at the root of things and get deeper. Dig. Think out loud. Keep typing. Keep going. Eventually you'll find a little treasure chest. Every time you blog, this can happen if you let it.
20. Change your style. Mimic people. Write beautiful lies. Dream in public...cry scream fight sing...and don't be afraid to be funny. The easiest thing to do is whine when you write. Don't be lazy. audblog at least once a week.
21. Write open letters. Make lists...Lead by example. Invent and reinvent yourself. Start by writing about what happened to you today. For example: today I told a hot girl how wonderfully hot she is.
22. When in doubt, review something. There's not enough reviews on blogs. Review a movie you just saw, a tv show, a cd, a kiss you just got, a restaurant, a hike you just took, anything.
23. Constantly write about the town that you live in.
24. Out yourself. Tell your secrets. You can always delete them later.
25. Don't use your real name. Don't write about your work unless you don't care about getting fired.
27. Nobody likes poems. Don't put your poems on your blog. Not even if they're incredible. Especially if they're incredible. Odds are they're not incredible. Bad poems are funny sometimes though, so fine, put your dumb poems on there. whatever.
28. Tell us about your friends.
29. Don't apologize about not blogging. Nobody cares. Just start blogging again.
30. Read tons of blogs and leave nice comments.
Courtesy of tonypierce.com
~
God bless,
lv
~
how to blog by tony pierce, 110
1. Write every day.
2. If you think you're a good writer, write twice a day.
3. Don't be afraid to do anything. In fact, if you're afraid of something, do it. Then do it again. And again.
5. Don't tell your mom, your work, your friends, the people you want to date, or the people you want to work for about your blog. If they find out and you'd rather they didn't read it, ask them nicely to grant you your privacy.
6. Have comments. Don't be upset if no one writes in your comments for a long time. Eventually they'll write in there. If people start acting mean in your comments, ask them to stop; they probably will.
7. Have an email address clearly displayed on your blog. Sometimes people want to tell you that you rock in private.
8. Don't worry very much about the design of your blog. Image is a fakeout.
9. Use Blogger. It's easy, it's free; and because they are owned by Google, your blog will get spidered better, you will show up in more search results, and more people will end up at your blog. Besides, all the other blogging software & alternatives pretty much suck.
10. Use spellcheck unless you're completely, totally keeping it real. But even then you might want to use it if you think you wrote something really good.
11. Say exactly what you want to say no matter what it looks like on the screen. Then say something else. Then keep going. And when you're done, re-read it, edit it, hit publish and forget about it.
12. Link like crazy. Link anyone who links you, link your favorites, link your friends. Don't be a prude. Linking is what seperates bloggers from apes. And especially link if you're trying to prove a point and someone else said it first. It lends credibility even if you're full of [crap].
13. If you haven't written about...religion and politics in a week, you're probably playing it too safe, which means you probably [messed] up on #5, in which case [you should] start a second blog and keep your big mouth shut about it this time.
14. Remember: nobody cares which N*Sync member you are, what State you are, which Party of Five kid you are, or which Weezer song you are. The second you put one of those things on your blog you need to delete your blog and try out for the marching band. Similarly, nobody gives a [crap] what the weather is like in your town, nobody wants you to change their cursor into a butterfly, nobody wants to vote on whether your blog is hot or not, and nobody gives a rat's [butt] what song you're listening to. Write something Real for you, about you, every day. (See, I slightly (personally) disagree with the part about "what song you're listening to", because, :shrug:, I kind of enjoy finding out what songs people are listening to, what mood they're in, etc. I think it's interesting, and sort of sets up for their blog post. It almost gives you an idea of who they are.)
15. Don't be afraid if you think something has been said before. It has. And better. Big whoop. Say it anyway using your own words as honestly as you can. Just let it out.
16. Get Site Meter and make it available for everyone to see. If you're embarrassed that not a lot of people are clicking over to your page, don't be embarrassed by the number, be embarrassed that you actually give a crap about hits to your gay blog. It really is just a blog. And hits really don't mean anything. You want Site Meter, though, to see who is linking you so you can thank them and so you can link them back. Similarly, use Technorati, but don't obsess. Write.
17. People like pictures. Use them. Save them to your own server, or use Blogger's free service. If you don't know how to do it, learn. Also get a Buzznet account. Several things will happen once you start blogging, one of them is you will learn new things. That's a good thing.
18. Before you hit Save as Draft or Publish Post, select all and copy your masterpiece. You are using a computer and the internet, [bad stuff] can happen. No need to lose a good post.
19. Push the envelope in what you're writing about and how you're saying it. Be more and more honest. Get to the root of things. Start at the root of things and get deeper. Dig. Think out loud. Keep typing. Keep going. Eventually you'll find a little treasure chest. Every time you blog, this can happen if you let it.
20. Change your style. Mimic people. Write beautiful lies. Dream in public...cry scream fight sing...and don't be afraid to be funny. The easiest thing to do is whine when you write. Don't be lazy. audblog at least once a week.
21. Write open letters. Make lists...Lead by example. Invent and reinvent yourself. Start by writing about what happened to you today. For example: today I told a hot girl how wonderfully hot she is.
22. When in doubt, review something. There's not enough reviews on blogs. Review a movie you just saw, a tv show, a cd, a kiss you just got, a restaurant, a hike you just took, anything.
23. Constantly write about the town that you live in.
24. Out yourself. Tell your secrets. You can always delete them later.
25. Don't use your real name. Don't write about your work unless you don't care about getting fired.
27. Nobody likes poems. Don't put your poems on your blog. Not even if they're incredible. Especially if they're incredible. Odds are they're not incredible. Bad poems are funny sometimes though, so fine, put your dumb poems on there. whatever.
28. Tell us about your friends.
29. Don't apologize about not blogging. Nobody cares. Just start blogging again.
30. Read tons of blogs and leave nice comments.
Courtesy of tonypierce.com
~
God bless,
lv
1.28.2005
who will chase the clouds away
I wish that I could say
The world was one and fighting was a fable
And that greed would turn the table
I wish for peace
I wish for peace
I wish that I could see
A world that can be free with no more crying
Oh but some of us are trying
I wish for peace
I wish for peace
Who will hold the children near
If there’s a painful tear
Who will chase the clouds away
Why pretend that there’s no God
Why pretend that there’s no love to wrap around you
I speak justice to confound you
I pray for peace
I pray for peace
Michelle Tumes
~
Hello Friends and my family,
Peace.....those are the words echoing in my heart. Peace, yet not the words echoing in the world around me. So, let me tell you how I got to peace. To begin, I arrived safely back in South Africa December 29th at 10:00 p.m. Only to realize I had not been accompanied by my luggage, which was still in Amsterdam. So I drove home, only to get to sleep around 1-sh. I then woke at 5 to meet up with my team which was waiting for me at 6 to leave. Little did I know about my next two days. We, the leaders of c-kruis 2005 were going on a hike/adventure/rough bonding type experience. So we all left and funny enough the whole point of the hike was to only have the clothes on your back, so that solved my luggage crisis. During this two day hike we walked, sweat and burned in the sun, slept under the stars on the cold ground, and ate our live chicken (we were given as an extra team member) for food. This hike definitely served its purpose. Ok, so then January 1st came and the teams all arrived and now it's their turn to experience bonding for four days while we, the leaders, sit back and drink our coffee and watch (one of the glories of being at the top I've learned to appreciate). So the teams survived their bonding torture we call ADVENTURE CAMP which took place in Caroliena - beautiful farm land full of God's special touch. After A-Camp we all arrived at our beautiful new training grounds call Donker Hoek, which means Dark Corner. Interesting connotation seeing as we are the light of the world.
So training has been happening for an entire month already. We had our first show/dress rehearsal on Wednesday which I, myself, co-produced with my other producer, Elonie. It was a lot of hard work, but also a lot of fun. The first team started their dress rehearsal at 7 pm and finished at 12 am. Then my team started at 12 am and finished at 5 am. It was one of the longest nights of my life. But I am young and I have the whole weekend off at the moment, so I intend to catch up on some sleep. I have been so busy since I've arrived. I am doing alot of choreography for all the new shows, as well as co-writing and touching up on all the last minute preparations. As well, I started back with taking Ballet and will take my last exam in May. I am also busy counseling and shepherding five young first year ladies, which has been a huge challenge for me. I am learning how to live and breathe integrity. Yet, since I 've been here and jumped into this whirlwind life of mine, God has placed a peace in my heart. I often times feel I don't spend nearly enough time with Him like I used to and yet He just reminds me that He's with me all during my day. He attends every class, rehearsal, and conversation or meeting I'm in. So this peace has been my stability in my too-busy lifestyle I've chosen. Please know I do find time to miss home. I think of you so often. Often when I am somewhere watching something too beautiful to describe, I often miss you. I wish you could see what I see, and experience what I experience. To end off, I want to tell you that my passion, my dreams, my zealous love for the Lord are being fanned by his hand. The Lord is busy fanning this flame, which is extremely exciting because my vision, I believe, is in the process of being reformed again to include more of my future. This has been good for my spirit and soul. Thank you for your time. Please excuse my delay in getting this to ya'll. I trust your lives are in the Lord's will as is mine. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support and continual love and devotion of my love for dancing and the Lord! May you be blessed through this year and further! Thank you again!
Dancingly His,
MASH
~
I received this lovely email from my sister today, and it's just amazing how much I needed to hear every word that she said. Peace is exactly what I'm not feeling at the moment, but she gives me such inspiration and a desire to strive for the peace that she has searched for for so many years. It's amazing to me that the same girl who often expressed to me her fear of leaving home at the age of 16 is now at peace about her future. Mash has reminded me that the peace of resting in the comfort of God's arms and being able to completely abandon yourself to His will is the greatest peace you will ever find. I just thought it was awesome how much this email spoke to me, and how perfectly on time it was ... I wanted to share it with you all in the hopes that you will be inspired by her persistence and faith.
God bless,
lv
The world was one and fighting was a fable
And that greed would turn the table
I wish for peace
I wish for peace
I wish that I could see
A world that can be free with no more crying
Oh but some of us are trying
I wish for peace
I wish for peace
Who will hold the children near
If there’s a painful tear
Who will chase the clouds away
Why pretend that there’s no God
Why pretend that there’s no love to wrap around you
I speak justice to confound you
I pray for peace
I pray for peace
Michelle Tumes
~
Hello Friends and my family,
Peace.....those are the words echoing in my heart. Peace, yet not the words echoing in the world around me. So, let me tell you how I got to peace. To begin, I arrived safely back in South Africa December 29th at 10:00 p.m. Only to realize I had not been accompanied by my luggage, which was still in Amsterdam. So I drove home, only to get to sleep around 1-sh. I then woke at 5 to meet up with my team which was waiting for me at 6 to leave. Little did I know about my next two days. We, the leaders of c-kruis 2005 were going on a hike/adventure/rough bonding type experience. So we all left and funny enough the whole point of the hike was to only have the clothes on your back, so that solved my luggage crisis. During this two day hike we walked, sweat and burned in the sun, slept under the stars on the cold ground, and ate our live chicken (we were given as an extra team member) for food. This hike definitely served its purpose. Ok, so then January 1st came and the teams all arrived and now it's their turn to experience bonding for four days while we, the leaders, sit back and drink our coffee and watch (one of the glories of being at the top I've learned to appreciate). So the teams survived their bonding torture we call ADVENTURE CAMP which took place in Caroliena - beautiful farm land full of God's special touch. After A-Camp we all arrived at our beautiful new training grounds call Donker Hoek, which means Dark Corner. Interesting connotation seeing as we are the light of the world.
So training has been happening for an entire month already. We had our first show/dress rehearsal on Wednesday which I, myself, co-produced with my other producer, Elonie. It was a lot of hard work, but also a lot of fun. The first team started their dress rehearsal at 7 pm and finished at 12 am. Then my team started at 12 am and finished at 5 am. It was one of the longest nights of my life. But I am young and I have the whole weekend off at the moment, so I intend to catch up on some sleep. I have been so busy since I've arrived. I am doing alot of choreography for all the new shows, as well as co-writing and touching up on all the last minute preparations. As well, I started back with taking Ballet and will take my last exam in May. I am also busy counseling and shepherding five young first year ladies, which has been a huge challenge for me. I am learning how to live and breathe integrity. Yet, since I 've been here and jumped into this whirlwind life of mine, God has placed a peace in my heart. I often times feel I don't spend nearly enough time with Him like I used to and yet He just reminds me that He's with me all during my day. He attends every class, rehearsal, and conversation or meeting I'm in. So this peace has been my stability in my too-busy lifestyle I've chosen. Please know I do find time to miss home. I think of you so often. Often when I am somewhere watching something too beautiful to describe, I often miss you. I wish you could see what I see, and experience what I experience. To end off, I want to tell you that my passion, my dreams, my zealous love for the Lord are being fanned by his hand. The Lord is busy fanning this flame, which is extremely exciting because my vision, I believe, is in the process of being reformed again to include more of my future. This has been good for my spirit and soul. Thank you for your time. Please excuse my delay in getting this to ya'll. I trust your lives are in the Lord's will as is mine. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support and continual love and devotion of my love for dancing and the Lord! May you be blessed through this year and further! Thank you again!
Dancingly His,
MASH
~
I received this lovely email from my sister today, and it's just amazing how much I needed to hear every word that she said. Peace is exactly what I'm not feeling at the moment, but she gives me such inspiration and a desire to strive for the peace that she has searched for for so many years. It's amazing to me that the same girl who often expressed to me her fear of leaving home at the age of 16 is now at peace about her future. Mash has reminded me that the peace of resting in the comfort of God's arms and being able to completely abandon yourself to His will is the greatest peace you will ever find. I just thought it was awesome how much this email spoke to me, and how perfectly on time it was ... I wanted to share it with you all in the hopes that you will be inspired by her persistence and faith.
God bless,
lv
1.27.2005
bringing you back home to stay
Each day, my Bible teacher writes a thought on the board that requires some intellectual brain power and some Bible meditating. I always look forward to the few simple words that will surprise me each day. When I really like them or get a lot from them, I will copy them into my planner and save them for personal use. I thought I'd share some of the most recent with you ...
Prayer is the exercise of drawing on the grace of God.
:: John 6:37
Jesus will be your Savior without your behavior. If you've allowed Him to be your Savior, He'll change your behavior.
:: Acts 20:21
When you live in the joy and peace of abandonement, you have the confidence that things will work out for your good God's way.
The difference between discouragement and encouragement is determined by whom you rely on - God or man.
God will do whatever is required to draw the impurities out of you And allow you to face them, so that He can deal with them And you can be set free.
These are yours to interpret. Take them however you wish, and hopefully you'll get something out of them. :)
My day today has been fairly uneventful. Went to school, which wasn't too incredibly exciting. I have either a test or quiz in every single class tomorrow excluding dance. What else is new? Haha. English was fun, though. Tiffany, Emily and Kalylan did their George Orwell project ("It's time for TEK Live!"). It was cute :-p, and very informative. Parts of it were spazmatic, but it got the point across, and it kept me awake. I was ready to doze off in geometry, and I could hardly grasp the concept Mr. Callahan was trying to drill into our brains because I was trying so hard to keep my eyes open. Stephanie, Jenna, Jason and I tried to (in a roundabout way) figure out our schedule for Senior Slave Day tomorrow, but I don't think we've come up with anything yet. Hopefully we'll figure out something soon! After school though, Jenna's taking me out to get ice cream, coffee or something of the sort, just so we can hang out and chat. I don't think Jason's coming, because he's leaving to go out of town or something. Anywho, that should be fun. Katie and Austin might come as well. Perhaps I should make them pay for some of Jenna. :-p
Uncle Richard's funeral was today, in Orlando. Had I not missed school on Tuesday, I would have been able to go, but I couldn't afford to miss another day. I'm already having make-up work issues. :sigh: But, I talked to my mom and she said it was a beautiful service. Then ... "The pastor read your letter." "My letter? What letter?" "The thing on your journal ... the online thing." "Oh! :eek: Why?" "Because it was beautiful!" Haha. Yeah, so, that little blurb a few posts back about Uncle Richard was read at his funeral. Kind of sweet - but odd at the same time. Makes me wish I had been there. ^_^
Well, I better head out and study for all of those stupid tests and quizzes I have tomorrow. Katie's coming over to hang out with me too while the rest of my family is coming home from Orlando (and Spencer is ... who knows where!). Hope you all have a great weekend!
God bless,
lv
When every boat has sailed away
When every path is marked and paved
When every road has had its say
Then I'll be bringing you back home to stay
Josh Groban
Prayer is the exercise of drawing on the grace of God.
:: John 6:37
Jesus will be your Savior without your behavior. If you've allowed Him to be your Savior, He'll change your behavior.
:: Acts 20:21
When you live in the joy and peace of abandonement, you have the confidence that things will work out for your good God's way.
The difference between discouragement and encouragement is determined by whom you rely on - God or man.
God will do whatever is required to draw the impurities out of you And allow you to face them, so that He can deal with them And you can be set free.
These are yours to interpret. Take them however you wish, and hopefully you'll get something out of them. :)
My day today has been fairly uneventful. Went to school, which wasn't too incredibly exciting. I have either a test or quiz in every single class tomorrow excluding dance. What else is new? Haha. English was fun, though. Tiffany, Emily and Kalylan did their George Orwell project ("It's time for TEK Live!"). It was cute :-p, and very informative. Parts of it were spazmatic, but it got the point across, and it kept me awake. I was ready to doze off in geometry, and I could hardly grasp the concept Mr. Callahan was trying to drill into our brains because I was trying so hard to keep my eyes open. Stephanie, Jenna, Jason and I tried to (in a roundabout way) figure out our schedule for Senior Slave Day tomorrow, but I don't think we've come up with anything yet. Hopefully we'll figure out something soon! After school though, Jenna's taking me out to get ice cream, coffee or something of the sort, just so we can hang out and chat. I don't think Jason's coming, because he's leaving to go out of town or something. Anywho, that should be fun. Katie and Austin might come as well. Perhaps I should make them pay for some of Jenna. :-p
Uncle Richard's funeral was today, in Orlando. Had I not missed school on Tuesday, I would have been able to go, but I couldn't afford to miss another day. I'm already having make-up work issues. :sigh: But, I talked to my mom and she said it was a beautiful service. Then ... "The pastor read your letter." "My letter? What letter?" "The thing on your journal ... the online thing." "Oh! :eek: Why?" "Because it was beautiful!" Haha. Yeah, so, that little blurb a few posts back about Uncle Richard was read at his funeral. Kind of sweet - but odd at the same time. Makes me wish I had been there. ^_^
Well, I better head out and study for all of those stupid tests and quizzes I have tomorrow. Katie's coming over to hang out with me too while the rest of my family is coming home from Orlando (and Spencer is ... who knows where!). Hope you all have a great weekend!
God bless,
lv
When every boat has sailed away
When every path is marked and paved
When every road has had its say
Then I'll be bringing you back home to stay
Josh Groban
exhaustion . fatigue . overtiredness
There's a point during the year when one feels as if one cannot go on anymore, as if life needs to come to a pause and everything would have a chance to catch up with him, as if the world is spinning and one is standing there watching time pass one by.
This is generally referred to as exhaustion.
Not simply being tired, however much of a factor that is. But, even more so, physical, emotional, spiritual and mental exhaustion.
I've reached that point.
I actually entertained the thought that perhaps I have mono, which I quickly denied, knowing that I could not deal with such a diagnosis at this stressful period of my life. However, I have come down with a case of exhaustion, and it's hit me like a ton of bricks. I was slipping last week before LADF, and that just completely tore me down. Now I feel as if I'll never be able to get back up. I'm almost prepared to spend the rest of my life in this state of exhaustion. It's strage though ... as I sit here discussing how exhausted I am, I still cannot bring myself to carry myself to my bedroom, take a shower and climb into bed, despite the ticking time clock (10:41...42...43...). Because, I know that whether I go to bed at 10:30, or 12:30 won't really matter at this point. I don't think it's possible to be any more exhausted than I already am ... so might as well endulge my exhaustion. :blink: Fascinating way to look at it, don't you think? Just when I think I've come to a place where I can rest, something else comes up, and the torturous cycle begins again. I feel as if I'm running on a hampster wheel ... not in the way people usually mean it, saying that they're life isn't going anywhere ... I just feel like my hampster wheel has popped off of the track and it's rolling all over the place and spinning out of control; it's unstoppable. Kind of like my schedule. It's endless. I could practically tell you what I'm doing every day through July.
Well, now that I've rambled about my exhaustion which I'm sure none of you were interested in ... I'm curious to know if anyone knows or understands this level of frustration that I've reached as well. Please, share your stories. Perhaps we can start a support group or something. Haha. Well, hope you all have a good, restful rest of the week.
God bless,
lv
This is generally referred to as exhaustion.
Not simply being tired, however much of a factor that is. But, even more so, physical, emotional, spiritual and mental exhaustion.
I've reached that point.
I actually entertained the thought that perhaps I have mono, which I quickly denied, knowing that I could not deal with such a diagnosis at this stressful period of my life. However, I have come down with a case of exhaustion, and it's hit me like a ton of bricks. I was slipping last week before LADF, and that just completely tore me down. Now I feel as if I'll never be able to get back up. I'm almost prepared to spend the rest of my life in this state of exhaustion. It's strage though ... as I sit here discussing how exhausted I am, I still cannot bring myself to carry myself to my bedroom, take a shower and climb into bed, despite the ticking time clock (10:41...42...43...). Because, I know that whether I go to bed at 10:30, or 12:30 won't really matter at this point. I don't think it's possible to be any more exhausted than I already am ... so might as well endulge my exhaustion. :blink: Fascinating way to look at it, don't you think? Just when I think I've come to a place where I can rest, something else comes up, and the torturous cycle begins again. I feel as if I'm running on a hampster wheel ... not in the way people usually mean it, saying that they're life isn't going anywhere ... I just feel like my hampster wheel has popped off of the track and it's rolling all over the place and spinning out of control; it's unstoppable. Kind of like my schedule. It's endless. I could practically tell you what I'm doing every day through July.
Well, now that I've rambled about my exhaustion which I'm sure none of you were interested in ... I'm curious to know if anyone knows or understands this level of frustration that I've reached as well. Please, share your stories. Perhaps we can start a support group or something. Haha. Well, hope you all have a good, restful rest of the week.
God bless,
lv
1.25.2005
laughter in the silence
Uncle Richard can make anyone laugh. He always makes silly little comments that will take you a few seconds to catch onto, and then you will find yourself rolling on the floor, laughing, while he simply stands, amused by your reaction. He is the one who will tell a joke and then observe everyone else laughing at it - but he never cracks a smile himself. Inside though, he's bursting with joy.
Was bursting with joy, that is.
My great-uncle Richard died today. He was someone I wasn't very close to in person, but he was always close to my heart. I never knew him extremely well, but the few times we did spend together were some of the most special memories of my life. He was always happy, and he always had something uplifting and funny to say. He could make a random stranger on the street smile if he so wished. His life was always about serving others - very rarely did he think of only himself.
A few weeks ago, I told you about my grandparents' 50th anniversary party. Uncle Richard was my grandmother's brother - and he surprised her by coming. He had told her he wouldn't be able to make it, but he showed up, and I have never seen Mamaw so happy. He truly made the party for her, and the rest of us. It was the greatest surprise of the evening, and it is even more special now that he's gone (That was the last time any of us saw him). I think the Lord knew his time was coming, and He blessed us all with that one last chance to spend time with him. Thinking back, I wish that I had spent even more time with him. Now that he's gone, there is so much I would have loved to ask him and talk to him about that, for now, I simply have to keep to myself. In my life, I have been very blessed and have not had to experience death very often. I think the death of my great-uncle has impacted me the most. You always hear people say that when someone dies, they wish they could go back and change things, or make more of an effort. I never understood that until now. I knew Uncle Richard, but I wish I knew him even more. He was a wonderful man, and someone who left a beautiful mark on my life, despite the few moments we spent together.
Thank you, Uncle Richard, for teaching me that laughter is a wonderful thing ... especially in the silence of pain. While it is sad to see you go, we all know that you would never wish us to mourn for you - but rather to rejoice in the time we spent together and in the times we can look forward to spending with you in heaven. Your joy has brought this family through so much, and it is clear that you were a wonderful little brother to my grandmother. You have truly touched us all.
God bless,
lv
P.S. Please, everyone pray for my grandmother. She is taking this the hardest of all. As I said, Uncle Richard touched my life so much, and I barely knew him. I can only imagine what an impact he had on his sister.
Was bursting with joy, that is.
My great-uncle Richard died today. He was someone I wasn't very close to in person, but he was always close to my heart. I never knew him extremely well, but the few times we did spend together were some of the most special memories of my life. He was always happy, and he always had something uplifting and funny to say. He could make a random stranger on the street smile if he so wished. His life was always about serving others - very rarely did he think of only himself.
A few weeks ago, I told you about my grandparents' 50th anniversary party. Uncle Richard was my grandmother's brother - and he surprised her by coming. He had told her he wouldn't be able to make it, but he showed up, and I have never seen Mamaw so happy. He truly made the party for her, and the rest of us. It was the greatest surprise of the evening, and it is even more special now that he's gone (That was the last time any of us saw him). I think the Lord knew his time was coming, and He blessed us all with that one last chance to spend time with him. Thinking back, I wish that I had spent even more time with him. Now that he's gone, there is so much I would have loved to ask him and talk to him about that, for now, I simply have to keep to myself. In my life, I have been very blessed and have not had to experience death very often. I think the death of my great-uncle has impacted me the most. You always hear people say that when someone dies, they wish they could go back and change things, or make more of an effort. I never understood that until now. I knew Uncle Richard, but I wish I knew him even more. He was a wonderful man, and someone who left a beautiful mark on my life, despite the few moments we spent together.
Thank you, Uncle Richard, for teaching me that laughter is a wonderful thing ... especially in the silence of pain. While it is sad to see you go, we all know that you would never wish us to mourn for you - but rather to rejoice in the time we spent together and in the times we can look forward to spending with you in heaven. Your joy has brought this family through so much, and it is clear that you were a wonderful little brother to my grandmother. You have truly touched us all.
God bless,
lv
P.S. Please, everyone pray for my grandmother. She is taking this the hardest of all. As I said, Uncle Richard touched my life so much, and I barely knew him. I can only imagine what an impact he had on his sister.
1.23.2005
through dark there is Light
But the voice of truth
Tells me a different story
The voice of truth
Says 'do not be afraid'
And the voice of truth
Says this is for my glory
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe
The voice of truth
Casting Crowns
I just returned from the L.A. Dance Force competition in Daytona. While everyone on my team had previously been to atleast one other competition, I had never been to one before. As my teacher said, I was the "virgin competitor". Haha. It shocked me. Not only was the tecnique, for the most part, incredible and unbelievable, but ... the sin and filth that was present was astonishing. Literally, (excuse my french, but there is no other word to use) whores walking around; dancing in bra and underwear (spandex shorts, but might as well have been underwear). One of the teams did a dance wearing white pleated skirts that didn't even cover their butts (the black spandex was sticking out), black knee highs with bra straps hooked up to lacy underwear (that could also be seen out of the skirt), black zip hoodies that then unzipped only to reveal white shirts with their bras hanging out. I don't know if I've ever been so disgusted in my life. I wouldn't have worn that outfit, much less done the dance that they did for all of the money in the world. Even sicker was the fact that their moms were there, chearing them on, encouraging their daughters to flaunt their sacred bodies to the world. I felt sick after the fact and was hardly in a mind set to perform. But then, I started thinking about the words of the song of our first dance (I've posted them above for you) and I realized that us performing that dance was more than just the Providence Competition Team dancing to a Christian song. God had placed us there to be a light in this incredibly dark place. We had the opportunity to be used by the Lord in a most amazing way. And, I have to tell you, He truly blessed our efforts. Compared to these other competitors (despite their raunchy display, they had excellent technique - i.e. 5 pirouettes effortlessly, a group of 15 people doing 10 or so fouette's perfectly together...are you getting the idea?) we were on the lower end of the spectrum. Granted, it was our first time competing as a team, and most of these studios have been competing for years. But, even so, despite our lower level, we managed to score high enough for a silver medal (though we weren't in the top 5) with Voice of Truth, and we placed third with our jazz dance, Car Wash. I thought that was an incredible blessing, and a goal that could have only been achieved with the Lord as our dance partner. If you all had seen our competitors ... you probably wouldn't believe that we placed as well as we did. To be third out of this group is astonishing. But, how awesome that the Christian, clean, polite dance was awarded and I can only hope that we were a ministry to the people and judges that watched us. You know, our technique may not be as good as the rest of them, but we have something far more important, and we were dancing for someOne far more important. Because our attitude was simply to glorify the Lord, we were content with whatever He allowed to happen. And He exceeded our expectations, greatly.
I said all of that just to say that Christians, especially Christian dancers, are so few and far between these days. And in this sin-infested world, we must always be a reflection of Jesus Christ in the way we dance. I feel so blessed to have been able to share the Word of God through dance - a medium that most people watching that evening could understand. My prayer is that it truly touched someone, and has moved someone one step closer to finding their ultimate goal in life; because, life isn't all about the Platinum medals that you get in a dance competition, and it's not about how perfect your technique is or how together your fouettes are...but rather, it's about glorifying the Lord with every breath, every movement and every step, and I believe that is exactly what the Providence Competition Team did last night. Take hold of every opportunity to be a light for God's kingdom, and get to know the incredible blessing He gives you in return. It surpasses any medal that a human can give you. The silver medal each of holds in our hands is miniscule compared to the award of being a minister of God's amazing love. :)
God bless,
lv
Tells me a different story
The voice of truth
Says 'do not be afraid'
And the voice of truth
Says this is for my glory
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe
The voice of truth
Casting Crowns
I just returned from the L.A. Dance Force competition in Daytona. While everyone on my team had previously been to atleast one other competition, I had never been to one before. As my teacher said, I was the "virgin competitor". Haha. It shocked me. Not only was the tecnique, for the most part, incredible and unbelievable, but ... the sin and filth that was present was astonishing. Literally, (excuse my french, but there is no other word to use) whores walking around; dancing in bra and underwear (spandex shorts, but might as well have been underwear). One of the teams did a dance wearing white pleated skirts that didn't even cover their butts (the black spandex was sticking out), black knee highs with bra straps hooked up to lacy underwear (that could also be seen out of the skirt), black zip hoodies that then unzipped only to reveal white shirts with their bras hanging out. I don't know if I've ever been so disgusted in my life. I wouldn't have worn that outfit, much less done the dance that they did for all of the money in the world. Even sicker was the fact that their moms were there, chearing them on, encouraging their daughters to flaunt their sacred bodies to the world. I felt sick after the fact and was hardly in a mind set to perform. But then, I started thinking about the words of the song of our first dance (I've posted them above for you) and I realized that us performing that dance was more than just the Providence Competition Team dancing to a Christian song. God had placed us there to be a light in this incredibly dark place. We had the opportunity to be used by the Lord in a most amazing way. And, I have to tell you, He truly blessed our efforts. Compared to these other competitors (despite their raunchy display, they had excellent technique - i.e. 5 pirouettes effortlessly, a group of 15 people doing 10 or so fouette's perfectly together...are you getting the idea?) we were on the lower end of the spectrum. Granted, it was our first time competing as a team, and most of these studios have been competing for years. But, even so, despite our lower level, we managed to score high enough for a silver medal (though we weren't in the top 5) with Voice of Truth, and we placed third with our jazz dance, Car Wash. I thought that was an incredible blessing, and a goal that could have only been achieved with the Lord as our dance partner. If you all had seen our competitors ... you probably wouldn't believe that we placed as well as we did. To be third out of this group is astonishing. But, how awesome that the Christian, clean, polite dance was awarded and I can only hope that we were a ministry to the people and judges that watched us. You know, our technique may not be as good as the rest of them, but we have something far more important, and we were dancing for someOne far more important. Because our attitude was simply to glorify the Lord, we were content with whatever He allowed to happen. And He exceeded our expectations, greatly.
I said all of that just to say that Christians, especially Christian dancers, are so few and far between these days. And in this sin-infested world, we must always be a reflection of Jesus Christ in the way we dance. I feel so blessed to have been able to share the Word of God through dance - a medium that most people watching that evening could understand. My prayer is that it truly touched someone, and has moved someone one step closer to finding their ultimate goal in life; because, life isn't all about the Platinum medals that you get in a dance competition, and it's not about how perfect your technique is or how together your fouettes are...but rather, it's about glorifying the Lord with every breath, every movement and every step, and I believe that is exactly what the Providence Competition Team did last night. Take hold of every opportunity to be a light for God's kingdom, and get to know the incredible blessing He gives you in return. It surpasses any medal that a human can give you. The silver medal each of holds in our hands is miniscule compared to the award of being a minister of God's amazing love. :)
God bless,
lv
1.03.2005
closing time
What a holiday season it has been! Hectic, fun, exciting, boring, crazy, stressful ... just about everything you could possibly imagine. I'm not going to bore you with all of the details, but overall it's been great; spending time with family, having time to actually sit down and read a good book, waking up every morning and just being able to reflect on everything God's done for me rather than jumping out of bed to get ready for school. Of course, this lovely reality will end tomorrow, when I go back to waking up at 6 every morning, when I stay up until midnight or so doing homework because I decided to read my new book first, when I sleep on ice and heat from dance pains, and when the routine is so drilled into my head that I could pratically be blindfolded and still make it through the week in one piece. Life is good, isn't it? Haha.
My grandparent's 50th wedding anniversary was on December 27th, and we (my mom and my aunt, really) gave them a huge party on the 29th at the Yacht Club. It was beautiful, and very fun reflecting on old memories. It's amazing to me that they have been through so much together. They were married when they were 19 and 20, and it's just simply incredible to me that they have spent over 50 years in each other's lives. There aren't many people today that make it to their 50th anniversary, and there will be even fewer in this generation ... people marry much later nowadays, and divorce more frequently. But, what a blessing and an example to witness this milestone for my grandparents. They have taught me so much, and seeing them come to this place in their life is just further reason for me to take what they say to heart. My Mamaw and Dedad are two of the most wonderful people I know, and I am so blessed to be a part of their lives. They have truly taught me, simply by living, that love isn't love until you die completely to yourself, surrender to God, and then share God's love with each other. Happy 50th Anniversary, Mamaw and Dedad! :)
Their wedding, 50 years ago.
On the other end of the spectrum, a old, dear friend of ours called yesterday and announced that he was engaged to his girlfriend of 3 (or so?) years. It's a wonderful thing, sort of. No one really likes Meagan, but I guess if Scott loves her - that's all that matters. :) He also told me that he cut his blonde/orange/white afro looking thing down to 1/8 of an inch. I'm still trying to picture Scott Weinstein bald and it's turning out to be a very wierd image. He went on to tell me that he's been traveling all over the country, doing a variety of commercials, magazine advertisements, music videos, etc... and his most recent project? A small speaking part and a background dancer in Paris Hilton's Pledge This! "Not a very clean movie," he says. "Well, Paris Hilton isn't much to speak of." "No, and neither is her talent. But my part ... I'm pretty good in it." :-p Haha. Count on Scott to mention that. So, it was good to hear from Scott after so long, and just thought it was funny ... the opposite ends of 50th anniversary and newly engaged (Christmas day, by the way). Congrats to you, Scott - and Meagan as well. :-p
Well, I must head out. There is so much to be done before I go back to dance tonight and school tomorrow. Hope you all have a blessed 2005 full of truth, beauty, freedom, and above all things ... love, in Jesus Christ!
God bless,
lv
My grandparent's 50th wedding anniversary was on December 27th, and we (my mom and my aunt, really) gave them a huge party on the 29th at the Yacht Club. It was beautiful, and very fun reflecting on old memories. It's amazing to me that they have been through so much together. They were married when they were 19 and 20, and it's just simply incredible to me that they have spent over 50 years in each other's lives. There aren't many people today that make it to their 50th anniversary, and there will be even fewer in this generation ... people marry much later nowadays, and divorce more frequently. But, what a blessing and an example to witness this milestone for my grandparents. They have taught me so much, and seeing them come to this place in their life is just further reason for me to take what they say to heart. My Mamaw and Dedad are two of the most wonderful people I know, and I am so blessed to be a part of their lives. They have truly taught me, simply by living, that love isn't love until you die completely to yourself, surrender to God, and then share God's love with each other. Happy 50th Anniversary, Mamaw and Dedad! :)
Their wedding, 50 years ago.
On the other end of the spectrum, a old, dear friend of ours called yesterday and announced that he was engaged to his girlfriend of 3 (or so?) years. It's a wonderful thing, sort of. No one really likes Meagan, but I guess if Scott loves her - that's all that matters. :) He also told me that he cut his blonde/orange/white afro looking thing down to 1/8 of an inch. I'm still trying to picture Scott Weinstein bald and it's turning out to be a very wierd image. He went on to tell me that he's been traveling all over the country, doing a variety of commercials, magazine advertisements, music videos, etc... and his most recent project? A small speaking part and a background dancer in Paris Hilton's Pledge This! "Not a very clean movie," he says. "Well, Paris Hilton isn't much to speak of." "No, and neither is her talent. But my part ... I'm pretty good in it." :-p Haha. Count on Scott to mention that. So, it was good to hear from Scott after so long, and just thought it was funny ... the opposite ends of 50th anniversary and newly engaged (Christmas day, by the way). Congrats to you, Scott - and Meagan as well. :-p
Well, I must head out. There is so much to be done before I go back to dance tonight and school tomorrow. Hope you all have a blessed 2005 full of truth, beauty, freedom, and above all things ... love, in Jesus Christ!
God bless,
lv
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