G-dub, live and in person

I've been meaning to do this since Monday, but finally have the time, since my 4-page poetry annotation is finished (on the poem "Fox Trot Fridays" by Rita Dove... highly recommend it, and now I can tell you all about how it functions as a poem.) and mon controle de francais est fini. So, I've just got the regular ton of homework for the weekend, and thought I'd catch everyone up. But first, a shameless plug: I posted a new poem on my other blog, feel free to check it out and comment!

Back to Bush. One of the most amazing experiences of my life to date... waiting in line from 8:45 a.m. until 12:15ish... I've never camped out for tickets before! Waiting again in line to get through security. There were protesters on the way in to Bramlage. And I heard whatshisface, the nutso abortion protester and his posse, were apparently there, but on the other side. I won't get started on that... but I have to say, maybe people die in wars, but inaction also was allowing countless deaths... yeah. Security was tight: metal detectors, I got wanded, pretty exciting. But I said bomb when we were sitting down, and they didn't do anything to me.

The whole shebang started off a bit late, but who cares, because it was definitely worth the wait. And everyone says Bush can't speak well... he did a fantastic job, and no matter what you think of him, you have to admire him for sticking to his values and making sure that he doesn't just say empty words. He backs up what he says he will do, and listens to the experts, not just popular opinion polls. And he's so down to earth, loves his wife, and is wildly hilarious... ribbing Senator Roberts by asking for hair advice (Roberts is bald, for those of you who don't know). And he handled the not-pre-selected questions very well. The Iraqi lady could have cut her comments a bit shorter, as with the immigration question. Immigration, one word, not a discourse on being Hispanic and how that includes everyone, Venezualan, Mexican, everyone, and what is Bush's plan to help legal and non-legal members of this community that are stateside. I wasn't impressed with the Brokeback Mountain question though...I mean, seriously, where is the respect for the office? Ditto about the wave before he came out... And this is totally not organized, but its been a long day of classes, and its the weekend, and I'm stuffed so the blood is not flowing to the brain. In conclusion, see Ian's blog for photos, and Bush looks great in purple!

Objects in Mirror May Be Closer Than They Appear

White lines dart past, reflecting on my window
as David Crowder, voice raw with emotion, sings
“bask in His glory.”
The last notes of the poignant guitar fade out,
but the pavement stretches on for hours.
Glancing past the passenger seat, I catch
a glimpse in the tiny mirror.

The grasses of the prairie dance
as the earth’s breath blows past,
turning into a glorious sea of grey, brown, and gold.
An austere tree stands,
every twig reaching toward
wisps of clouds stretching across the expanse.
Pastel blues, pale aquas,
gentle pinks, the lightest indigo
and the most delicate gold run together
each revealed in its distinct splendor
and glowing with an angelic light,
barely veiling the glory of the dusk’s sun.
“Majesty… finally.”

My Frogs

I came home from campus today, and decided that the world needs to experience my frogs. They're absolutely amazing... its so relaxing to watch them. No matter what happens or how bad I feel, it all gets better when I watch them swim for a bit. Especially now that they have their new, bigger tank and have room to swim... and they love their plant, just lounging in/on it. That's the other interesting break thing I forgot to mention on my last post, their new purple tank with black sand! That, along with Nathan's mis-hearing Skyler Thomas, for threeeee as Skyler Thomas, whoopee. I love ya Nate, oh, and I think Mary Dolphin needs a maaa-sage. :)

And these aren't the best pics, but I don't know how to get rid of glare fast, and I couldn't use flash. Anyway, here they are. I hope they make your day better, too!

Jelly in the dark back corner, Peanut standing, and Butter's bum.

Jelly, Peanut, and Butter's bum

a close up of Peanut

Winter Solstice Break

It's hard to believe that break is almost over. It's been really great though. I was home for about a week, and it was so good to see my family! And Christmas was at my grandparent's farm. Life is always interesting with the cousins... Funny story. Nathan (brother) has Ellen's (7 yr old cousin) scarf and holds it up... its stretchy, and the way he held it, it kinda looked like a slinky dress. He laughed and asked our opinion, and then Caleb (other brother) tried it. Ellen went up to him and tried stretching it sideways to make it 'fit' better, before wrapping her arms around his waist and proclaiming, "you're a BIG lady!" Needless to say, Christmas was great!

Then it was straight back to school for the start of intersession (or intermester, as my dad called it...) which has been really great. The History of American Movies and the Moviegoing Experience. We listen to lecture about the time period, technology and theaters, all that, and its fascinating, then watch a movie representative of the period. I highly recommend the class... it'll be offered again in May intersession... and really, who wouldn't enjoy learning about and watching movies and getting three whole credit hours for it!

For New Years, I went with Ian to SC to spend time with his family (and meet his mom's side) which was so much fun! They're all so great, and I learned how to play pitch (but I'm not good). I do have a complaint about FOX's New Year's Eve coverage though. Who wants to see some drunk guy with a beer bottle in his hand stand on some stage in Tennessee, and then count down from 10 half a minute after the fact, when it could have been the little apple dropping... which they cut away from and missed entirely.

But anyway, this past weekend was a friend's wedding in Wichita, but we were back in time for church today! It's so good to be back, I've missed it, and seeing everyone, too! Other than that, it's just been hanging out and doing lots of homework. It's incredible how empty town is on break! Anyway, hope everyone is having/had a wonderful holiday, and good luck with the semester/whatever you've gotten back to doing!