First off, things unrelated to the title. Some of you (though I doubt many people actually read this) may have noticed that I'm updating a great deal more often I once did. This is for a few reasons.
1) Someone said I don't update that often, and I took this as a challenge (though it was in no way a challenge)
2) I complain a lot about having nothing to do - this is something to do, and gives me a chance to reflect on the things that I *am* doing during the day, thus providing a subtle attitude adjustment.
3) I genuinely enjoy typing - and this is a means toward that end.
4) When I am writing, my creativity blooms in unexpected ways. Sometimes this is evident in what I'm writing, sometimes it is evident in the things I do while writing, or immediately after I finish.
5) (This is added as an edit at like 2 in the morning) I think it would be fun to actually start including some "Words of Whiz Dumb" in this thing - not that I'm particularly wise... but you get the point. This will likely be implemented whenever I think some thought that is wise.
Random comment to kick things off: Whoever decided that super-adhesive, water-proof band-aids were perfected never tried to put one on me. I have a boo-boo on my hand, which you will learn of later in the post, that I tried to tend to, and I've had to reinforce the band-aid with medical tape, which is also slowly peeling off of my rather damp palms. I'm sorry - I can't help it!
Today, I did more physical labor in the teen room at my church. I built shelves! Not the neat IKEA kind, or the big, clunky wooden kind... but the big, awkward, metallic, shove this metal piece into that slot over there kind. When these are new - they aren't terribly difficult to assemble. When they are anything *but* new - pieces sometimes need convincing. This is usually managed by having a conversation with the inanimate object. By which I mean - hitting it.
This is fun. Until you've been doing it for over an hour. My hands are sore. I think the shelves came out the victor in the end, though. They are built, and in one piece - so therefore they came out unscathed and in tact.
I, on the other hand... well actually, that's a funny way of putting that.
On the *one* hand, I have a couple of pretty tender cuts that just genuinely throb. On the *other* hand, in the most literal sense you can imagine, I'm pretty sure I got a teeny tiny fracture in one of my fingers when a piece pinched my finger against another after it swung at a high speed under the persuasion of gravity. And also, in general - the sides of my hands and my wrists are sore from banging pieces into place - some of which did not yield when struck. Which is a lot like smacking your hand against a metallic floor that vibrates and makes loud obnoxious noises in your ear.
I was thrilled during my self-imposed breaks, however, to walk outside into the mild air and feel my skin tingle happily. Which is a nicer way of saying - I was really sweaty, so the cold air felt awesome. My guess is that you, the reader, preferred the former. Aside from maybe the word "tingle."
(Random sidebar - I liked that word before it became associated with an annoying Legend of Zelda character. Though really... I still kinda like it. Anyway, digressions!)
Now for the Choo-Choo part of things.
I was never an overwhelming fan of trains when I was a child. It wasn't one of my "things" as a kid. We had a whole bunch of model trains and stuff in our basement that may or may not have belonged to my Dad. I don't really remember the story on them - but that's because they were never really discussed and spent all of their time (in my memory) collecting dust in the basement. For all I know, they belonged to the previous owners who could not be bothered to remove them... I don't know.
In fact, the only real enjoyment I get from any stories involving trains is "The Little Engine that Could" - and I don't mean the children's book, I mean the bedtime story of Major Payne. And if you don't know what I'm talking about - you should.
Anyway.
I liked counting train cars when I was stuck at a crossing, but that was more for the sake of beating a personal best than because it was a train.
Then I began driving. Up until this past Sunday, I'd never been stuck at a train crossing as a driver (I haven't been driving long enough for this to be particularly surprising) - something which I knew I'd probably dislike when it finally happened. Turns out I was right. It may have been the rain, or the fact that I was tired and wanted to get home - but I was just annoyed.
Today, while wearing my aforementioned sweaty (though at that point just damp) shirt, I found myself pulling up to another long line of cars while a whistle blew obnoxiously in the distance (that's twice I've used the word obnoxious in this post... neat). This was an occasion where I very much wanted to get home and get changed - but to avail.
At thatmoment, a breeze passed through my open windows and I stopped looking at the train. It was not quite dusk, but the sun was getting on toward the horizon. While the railroad crossing near my house isn't idyllic and the view is obstructed by lots of trees, I was still treated to some thin, but fluffy, pink clouds drifting off toward the west. The sky was showing just a hit of darkness - a blue which is not quite sky blue, but not yet gray. The breeze made it seem like the trees were waving at me (and I had to smile when I thought of Ents... that book is on my brain). It was breath-taking, even with all the obstructions, the loud whistle, the faint sounds of a construction crew working on a new bridge, and constant rumbling of train cars.
It's not that I never noticed the sunset when I'm driving - in fact I often, if not always, do. But this was the first time I was able to just sit and appreciate it while in an uncommon place.
So for once, I truly appreciated a train.
9.29.2010
9.28.2010
On the precipice of perfection...
Today I walked outside into what I consider perfect weather. The sun was out, but there were gray clouds lazing about, promising rainfall. The wind was blowing, the leaves were swaying and falling. The chill air felt absolutely wonderful on my lungs. The temperature was perfect, and there wasn't a feeling of humidity to be had. While I was standing there in my front yard, a drizzle began.
And I was content.
Yesterday, before the temperatures had a chance to fully drop, I was at church early to build some stools for our teen center. The youth minister tossed me her keys to go out to her car for the stools and offered me an umbrella. I declined, and was subsequently drenched.
And I was content.
If my neighborhood weren't borderline-dangerous and largely unsightly, I would be going for a walk during dusk tomorrow, rain or shine - though ideally rain.
Nothing would make me happier than to sit in the company of friends under the shelter of the last few trees trees thick with golden leaves while the rain fell all around and on us. Leaned up against the trunk, with a grin plaster on my face - I would be content.
What I'm trying to say is - I've missed the rain showers born on the Fall cold friends, bringing lower temperatures, warmer clothes, and delightful drizzles. Soon, I will sip on cider, and have things consisting of pumpkin spice and who-care's-what-else. Slowly but steadily, sandals will fade from my day-to-day wear (though not completely) into shoes and boots. Before I know it, I'll be pining for a fireplace warm with the glow of roasting logs, sipping cocoa, wrapped in a blanket. At least - that'd be the ideal... it never quite gets cold enough around here for me to need quite all that.
'Tis a shame I have few people with which to share it.
Rain.
Rain.
Rain!
And I was content.
Yesterday, before the temperatures had a chance to fully drop, I was at church early to build some stools for our teen center. The youth minister tossed me her keys to go out to her car for the stools and offered me an umbrella. I declined, and was subsequently drenched.
And I was content.
If my neighborhood weren't borderline-dangerous and largely unsightly, I would be going for a walk during dusk tomorrow, rain or shine - though ideally rain.
Nothing would make me happier than to sit in the company of friends under the shelter of the last few trees trees thick with golden leaves while the rain fell all around and on us. Leaned up against the trunk, with a grin plaster on my face - I would be content.
What I'm trying to say is - I've missed the rain showers born on the Fall cold friends, bringing lower temperatures, warmer clothes, and delightful drizzles. Soon, I will sip on cider, and have things consisting of pumpkin spice and who-care's-what-else. Slowly but steadily, sandals will fade from my day-to-day wear (though not completely) into shoes and boots. Before I know it, I'll be pining for a fireplace warm with the glow of roasting logs, sipping cocoa, wrapped in a blanket. At least - that'd be the ideal... it never quite gets cold enough around here for me to need quite all that.
'Tis a shame I have few people with which to share it.
Rain.
Rain.
Rain!
9.27.2010
My (Very) brief thoughts concerned the Two Towers and the Return of the King.
Everyone major secondary character was either a huge jerk or showed ridiculous amounts of weakness at inaccurate points of time.
Theoden - I won't help Gondor unless they really, really need it because they didn't help Rohan...
Faramir - Sam and Frodo - we're gonna take you as captives to Gondor instead of letting you go.
Eomer - ...just kind of a tool and I wanted to hit him whenever he talked.
Denethor - Look at me! I'm a 2-dimensional, unrepentant jagovv from the moment I get introduced, whether I'm blatantly scarring one of my children, or completely dismissing the council of people who are concerned with my well-being and the well-being of my city and nation. Unlike in the book, where I'm cautious and someone resistant to advice because of the nature of the times, and where I dote upon one of my kids and am someone fair to the other. All of which changes when I fear my second son to be dying and have thousands of Orcs at my door. Fear and sadness overtake me in the novels - while arrogance and idiocy doom me from the get-go in the movie!
Huzzah!
Shelob... I wish you'd been more demon-like and less spider-like. Not to the point of not looking like a spider... but you just looked like a big, pissed off spider.
When Frodo and Sam were desperately crawling up Mount Doom and a little trumpet part cut through the chaos and insanity of the soundtrack - I teared up a little. It was awesome.
The Mouth of Sauron - you weren't in the original cut of the film... I am glad you were included in the extended edition - even if you were more terrifying and creepy than I'd ever pictured you in the text.
Saruman - I'm glad you still got killed by Wormtongue - but sad that it couldn't be in the Shire... because I'm sad they never filmed that part of the story. But still... watching you fall from Orthanc many many stories onto a mill wheel below with a deliciously final thud was worth it.
Pippin - you're an idiot. I like you, but you need to stop touching things.
And finally, it was very striking to me having Frodo sitting upon the same chair in the same room at the same desk where first we see Bilbo in the Fellowship. It was a nice full-circle moment.
Anyhoo.
There's more, but I can't remember all of it, since I watched those two films yesterday. I didn't have internet yesterday and most of today. It was nice and weird.
Also, tonight I hung out with a priest. It was the first time I'd ever done that in some non-church capacity. It was pretty cool. He's a smart guy, and the company we kept is good people, too. Yes, is! Grammar, I forsake thee. Even though I just said "forsake thee."
Right.
Everyone major secondary character was either a huge jerk or showed ridiculous amounts of weakness at inaccurate points of time.
Theoden - I won't help Gondor unless they really, really need it because they didn't help Rohan...
Faramir - Sam and Frodo - we're gonna take you as captives to Gondor instead of letting you go.
Eomer - ...just kind of a tool and I wanted to hit him whenever he talked.
Denethor - Look at me! I'm a 2-dimensional, unrepentant jagovv from the moment I get introduced, whether I'm blatantly scarring one of my children, or completely dismissing the council of people who are concerned with my well-being and the well-being of my city and nation. Unlike in the book, where I'm cautious and someone resistant to advice because of the nature of the times, and where I dote upon one of my kids and am someone fair to the other. All of which changes when I fear my second son to be dying and have thousands of Orcs at my door. Fear and sadness overtake me in the novels - while arrogance and idiocy doom me from the get-go in the movie!
Huzzah!
Shelob... I wish you'd been more demon-like and less spider-like. Not to the point of not looking like a spider... but you just looked like a big, pissed off spider.
When Frodo and Sam were desperately crawling up Mount Doom and a little trumpet part cut through the chaos and insanity of the soundtrack - I teared up a little. It was awesome.
The Mouth of Sauron - you weren't in the original cut of the film... I am glad you were included in the extended edition - even if you were more terrifying and creepy than I'd ever pictured you in the text.
Saruman - I'm glad you still got killed by Wormtongue - but sad that it couldn't be in the Shire... because I'm sad they never filmed that part of the story. But still... watching you fall from Orthanc many many stories onto a mill wheel below with a deliciously final thud was worth it.
Pippin - you're an idiot. I like you, but you need to stop touching things.
And finally, it was very striking to me having Frodo sitting upon the same chair in the same room at the same desk where first we see Bilbo in the Fellowship. It was a nice full-circle moment.
Anyhoo.
There's more, but I can't remember all of it, since I watched those two films yesterday. I didn't have internet yesterday and most of today. It was nice and weird.
Also, tonight I hung out with a priest. It was the first time I'd ever done that in some non-church capacity. It was pretty cool. He's a smart guy, and the company we kept is good people, too. Yes, is! Grammar, I forsake thee. Even though I just said "forsake thee."
Right.
9.25.2010
Fellowship: Film and Book
While I won't be listing an exhaustive account of my thoughts while watching the extended edition DVD of The Fellowship of the Ring today, I will continue with some highlights.
I know it's been done, and by many a person - but I would love to one day write a paper all about the religious, political, and social themes rampant in this story... though probably more so the religious and spiritual than the others.
I digress.
Disclaimer - I do not say any of the following things to dismiss or suggest that I do not like the films. At any point where I seem overly critical, it is for the sake of humor and hyperbole. A lot of these observations come from the fact that I know have a much *greater* appreciation for the films, having read the books. I don't care that they left some things out, because it was still a 3 hr and 20 minutes (or so) film that was entertaining, engaging, and all the better understood now that I've read the source material!
Exeunt:
Oh, hey Cate Blanchett... it's a real shame I don't really like you all that much - cause you're narrating right now... instead of the unnecessarily proper, story-telling extraordinaire, British gentleman voice that I thought all the narrative in. You are strikingly different from that voice.
Backstory! At the beginning! Well... it's good for the uninitiated, but it sort of removes a lot of the mystery surrounding the beginning of things...
Oh, that's because the beginning of things is extremely rushed compared to the novel. Right. Bilbo's gone, Gandalf's back, HIT THE ROAD!, hey Pippin... and Merry - you're supposed to be at Crickholl-oh, right - we skipped the leisurely and mysterious, but still purposeful feel of Book One, we're running for our lives from an enemy that we weren't supposed to see for a while and have already made it to Bree!
No Tom Bombadil, no fatty Bolger, no friendly farmer, no Barrow-downs, and heck! let's remove the last bit of suspense from the chase to the Ford by establishing before Bree that the Nazgul don't like water! Thanks for that! Oh, and we get to see everything going on with Gandalf.
(Editor's Note: for me this was a mixed bag - seeing things play out chronologically was nice, but so was having it recounted by a angry and wounded old Wizard in Rivendell and at the Council of Elrond as it was in the book.)
Yay - Butterbur... oh, you didn't formally introduce yourself... sad. Who's that mysterious guy - Pippin, what the hell are you doing! Oh crap, he tripped. Oooh, everything's all gray and stuff. Hi Strider, nice to meet- WE HAVE TO RUN AGAIN!
Shoot.
That's a lot of mosquitoes, hello Weathertop, hello FIRE! Drat, Frodo didn't even get to slice the Wrightwraith, he just pansy-d out and got stabbed. And is dying immediately. No toughing it out. Sad, doesn't set him up to be a very strong fella. Hello trolls. Hello... Arwen? Well that's disappointing. I liked Glorfindel. He was a BA. Oh, we're running again.
"Don't worry, if we make it to the river, the power of the Elves will help us."
Facepalm. Way to let the tension build during that chase *until the water shows up* - Oop, there they go.
Wakey wakey, eggs and- Oh, Hey Gandalf!
Oh, Boromir comes across as much less amicable in the film. There's another disappointment.
(Editor's note at this juncture - while for the most part I am going about this like I've never seen the films - I have. This is a crucial point in that because the first time I saw this film, I never once felt a good vibe from Boromir. 'Twas a poor job of developing him as a loyal, albeit torn character - he always felt duplicitous to me, so the breakdown at Rauros came as no surprise to me when I saw it, and I was just confused when he started crying after the Ring got far enough from him that he snapped out of it...)
"I will take it." Chills.
HOLY CRAP BILBO LOOKS TERRIFY-oh, good it's over.
"Mordor, Gandalf - which way?"
"Left"
Very loud laughter.
Marching, Marching, Marching...
Oh look, more extra-literary activity at Isengard. Hi, Christopher Lee!
Avalanches and no wolves... makes Bill's departure (despite having no formal introduction, anyway) less sad. Which was okay with me.
TENTACLES OF THE DEEP!
Moria.
Gollum, there you are, you creepy little bugger!
*Metal voice-over* "Alright, guys, it's the first point in the story where people get the junk killed out of them - let's make it a lot, lot longer than it was in the book."
No complaints, it was awesome.
Hey, thanks for the flashback earlier showing an illustration of the Balrog, it makes his introduction and subsequent chase a lot less dramatic than having his first appearance for the characters be his first appearance for us. But kudos on making him super-imposing and pants-wettingly scary looking.
"You shall not pass."
Neither shall you.
I really like this first scene outside of Moria. Lots of emotion, and the necessarily push to carry on. This was moving.
Lorien... aw, not near enough banter from Gimli. Or blindfolds. Sad. Celeborn is kinda coming across as a jerk. Oh... hey again Cate Blanchett.
Aw, Sam didn't get a box of soil... this doesn't bode well for my hope that the reclamation and restoration of the Shire is in the extended edition of the Return of the King.
Orcses! Nasty Orcses!
Aw, the scene where Boromir loses his composure and resolve. It makes a lot more sense now having read the books and getting that third person omniscient look into his character. Poor, tragic guy. HOLY CRAP LOOK AT HIM KILL SOME HOMIES.
Arrowed. Arrowed. Arrowed. Ow.
Hey Aragor-ouch, that guy just lost his head. And he got decapitated, too.
Farewell, Boromir - I liked that in the book you had several Orc blades at your feet, but you look pretty cool in the boat here, too.
Okay, so perhaps there was more in there than my initial estimates when I started typing. I got carried away. But I left some stuff out, I promise.
I know it's been done, and by many a person - but I would love to one day write a paper all about the religious, political, and social themes rampant in this story... though probably more so the religious and spiritual than the others.
I digress.
Disclaimer - I do not say any of the following things to dismiss or suggest that I do not like the films. At any point where I seem overly critical, it is for the sake of humor and hyperbole. A lot of these observations come from the fact that I know have a much *greater* appreciation for the films, having read the books. I don't care that they left some things out, because it was still a 3 hr and 20 minutes (or so) film that was entertaining, engaging, and all the better understood now that I've read the source material!
Exeunt:
Oh, hey Cate Blanchett... it's a real shame I don't really like you all that much - cause you're narrating right now... instead of the unnecessarily proper, story-telling extraordinaire, British gentleman voice that I thought all the narrative in. You are strikingly different from that voice.
Backstory! At the beginning! Well... it's good for the uninitiated, but it sort of removes a lot of the mystery surrounding the beginning of things...
Oh, that's because the beginning of things is extremely rushed compared to the novel. Right. Bilbo's gone, Gandalf's back, HIT THE ROAD!, hey Pippin... and Merry - you're supposed to be at Crickholl-oh, right - we skipped the leisurely and mysterious, but still purposeful feel of Book One, we're running for our lives from an enemy that we weren't supposed to see for a while and have already made it to Bree!
No Tom Bombadil, no fatty Bolger, no friendly farmer, no Barrow-downs, and heck! let's remove the last bit of suspense from the chase to the Ford by establishing before Bree that the Nazgul don't like water! Thanks for that! Oh, and we get to see everything going on with Gandalf.
(Editor's Note: for me this was a mixed bag - seeing things play out chronologically was nice, but so was having it recounted by a angry and wounded old Wizard in Rivendell and at the Council of Elrond as it was in the book.)
Yay - Butterbur... oh, you didn't formally introduce yourself... sad. Who's that mysterious guy - Pippin, what the hell are you doing! Oh crap, he tripped. Oooh, everything's all gray and stuff. Hi Strider, nice to meet- WE HAVE TO RUN AGAIN!
Shoot.
That's a lot of mosquitoes, hello Weathertop, hello FIRE! Drat, Frodo didn't even get to slice the Wrightwraith, he just pansy-d out and got stabbed. And is dying immediately. No toughing it out. Sad, doesn't set him up to be a very strong fella. Hello trolls. Hello... Arwen? Well that's disappointing. I liked Glorfindel. He was a BA. Oh, we're running again.
"Don't worry, if we make it to the river, the power of the Elves will help us."
Facepalm. Way to let the tension build during that chase *until the water shows up* - Oop, there they go.
Wakey wakey, eggs and- Oh, Hey Gandalf!
Oh, Boromir comes across as much less amicable in the film. There's another disappointment.
(Editor's note at this juncture - while for the most part I am going about this like I've never seen the films - I have. This is a crucial point in that because the first time I saw this film, I never once felt a good vibe from Boromir. 'Twas a poor job of developing him as a loyal, albeit torn character - he always felt duplicitous to me, so the breakdown at Rauros came as no surprise to me when I saw it, and I was just confused when he started crying after the Ring got far enough from him that he snapped out of it...)
"I will take it." Chills.
HOLY CRAP BILBO LOOKS TERRIFY-oh, good it's over.
"Mordor, Gandalf - which way?"
"Left"
Very loud laughter.
Marching, Marching, Marching...
Oh look, more extra-literary activity at Isengard. Hi, Christopher Lee!
Avalanches and no wolves... makes Bill's departure (despite having no formal introduction, anyway) less sad. Which was okay with me.
TENTACLES OF THE DEEP!
Moria.
Gollum, there you are, you creepy little bugger!
*Metal voice-over* "Alright, guys, it's the first point in the story where people get the junk killed out of them - let's make it a lot, lot longer than it was in the book."
No complaints, it was awesome.
Hey, thanks for the flashback earlier showing an illustration of the Balrog, it makes his introduction and subsequent chase a lot less dramatic than having his first appearance for the characters be his first appearance for us. But kudos on making him super-imposing and pants-wettingly scary looking.
"You shall not pass."
Neither shall you.
I really like this first scene outside of Moria. Lots of emotion, and the necessarily push to carry on. This was moving.
Lorien... aw, not near enough banter from Gimli. Or blindfolds. Sad. Celeborn is kinda coming across as a jerk. Oh... hey again Cate Blanchett.
Aw, Sam didn't get a box of soil... this doesn't bode well for my hope that the reclamation and restoration of the Shire is in the extended edition of the Return of the King.
Orcses! Nasty Orcses!
Aw, the scene where Boromir loses his composure and resolve. It makes a lot more sense now having read the books and getting that third person omniscient look into his character. Poor, tragic guy. HOLY CRAP LOOK AT HIM KILL SOME HOMIES.
Arrowed. Arrowed. Arrowed. Ow.
Hey Aragor-ouch, that guy just lost his head. And he got decapitated, too.
Farewell, Boromir - I liked that in the book you had several Orc blades at your feet, but you look pretty cool in the boat here, too.
Okay, so perhaps there was more in there than my initial estimates when I started typing. I got carried away. But I left some stuff out, I promise.
9.23.2010
In the past few days, my bum ankle has been hurting more than normal.
Today, I drove around in my car with the windows down - not because I have no A/C - but because it felt wonderful outside.
Our lawn is starting to collect leaves.
There are fewer mosquitoes chomping on my legs when I take the dogs out.
This is my round-about way of acknowledging that Fall has officially begun. I'm not the first to do it - in fact, my facebook feed and a couple blogs that I follow have been lit up with joy and expectation about the change.
I, too, am excited. This is probably my favorite time of year. You can tell by how excited I sound. I don't sound excited at all - but I am, trust me.
In other news - I finished the Lord of the Rings. There are many parts of the Return of the King that stuck out to me. For one - I enjoyed *reading* the end of the Ring itself much more than I did seeing it. Also - the whole reclamation of the Shire is amazing, and I am sad that it was not in the theatrical release of the film (If indeed, it wasn't - my memory of the third film is slim). I don't yet know if it is a part of the extended version - but I have hopes.
Side note - Saruman is a jerk.
I also got a little bit choked up when I read the last line of the story.
"He drew a deep breath. 'Well, I'm back,' he said."
That you are, Samwise, that you are. I like it for many reasons - Bilbo's own titling of his adventure "There and Back Again," quite a new a beginning for Sam, and how simply he states after all he's been through. I felt it was quite fitting.
Also, this description by Gandalf of what Sauron would become should Frodo succeed, "If it is destroyed, then he will fall; and his fall will be so low that none can foresee his arising ever again. For he will lose the best part of the strength that was native to him in his beginning, and all that was made or begun with that power will crumble, and he will be maimed for ever, becoming a mere spirit of malice that gnaws itself in the shadows, but cannot again grow or take shape..."
Also, I am getting a haircut tomorrow. By someone who gets paid to give haircuts. This is highly momentous - because I have not had my hair cut by such a person in about 4 years. I hope I look snazzy afterward.
Today, I drove around in my car with the windows down - not because I have no A/C - but because it felt wonderful outside.
Our lawn is starting to collect leaves.
There are fewer mosquitoes chomping on my legs when I take the dogs out.
This is my round-about way of acknowledging that Fall has officially begun. I'm not the first to do it - in fact, my facebook feed and a couple blogs that I follow have been lit up with joy and expectation about the change.
I, too, am excited. This is probably my favorite time of year. You can tell by how excited I sound. I don't sound excited at all - but I am, trust me.
In other news - I finished the Lord of the Rings. There are many parts of the Return of the King that stuck out to me. For one - I enjoyed *reading* the end of the Ring itself much more than I did seeing it. Also - the whole reclamation of the Shire is amazing, and I am sad that it was not in the theatrical release of the film (If indeed, it wasn't - my memory of the third film is slim). I don't yet know if it is a part of the extended version - but I have hopes.
Side note - Saruman is a jerk.
I also got a little bit choked up when I read the last line of the story.
"He drew a deep breath. 'Well, I'm back,' he said."
That you are, Samwise, that you are. I like it for many reasons - Bilbo's own titling of his adventure "There and Back Again," quite a new a beginning for Sam, and how simply he states after all he's been through. I felt it was quite fitting.
Also, this description by Gandalf of what Sauron would become should Frodo succeed, "If it is destroyed, then he will fall; and his fall will be so low that none can foresee his arising ever again. For he will lose the best part of the strength that was native to him in his beginning, and all that was made or begun with that power will crumble, and he will be maimed for ever, becoming a mere spirit of malice that gnaws itself in the shadows, but cannot again grow or take shape..."
Also, I am getting a haircut tomorrow. By someone who gets paid to give haircuts. This is highly momentous - because I have not had my hair cut by such a person in about 4 years. I hope I look snazzy afterward.
9.21.2010
Association
Folding laundry
Driving my car
An oft repeated quote from "Metroid: Other M"
The opening and closing moments of the season premiere of "How I met your Mother"
The Lord of the Rings
A vanilla scented candle
A bag full of decorations
Insects of a sufficient size
Adoration
The job hunt
Coffee
A pair of shoes
A much-needed haircut
Exercise
Stouts
Vodka
Sleepless Nights
Brief moments from the season premiere of "Chuck"
And assorted other things that don't readily spring to mind.
This was not an exercise in word association, but rather a list of associated words. There's a difference, I promise. I've found in life that there are some associations you'd rather your brain not automatically make for you. This can be for any number of reasons - they lead to temptation, they remind of times that cannot be relived, they are bittersweet, they are distracting, they are inappropriate.
For me, this list of items is a bittersweet set. I don't completely dislike the association - but my life would be considerably less frustrating if I could shut off the association. Such is life, I suppose - but it doesn't change the fact that sometimes my mind is my own worst enemy. Silly brain.
Silly, silly, brain.
Driving my car
An oft repeated quote from "Metroid: Other M"
The opening and closing moments of the season premiere of "How I met your Mother"
The Lord of the Rings
A vanilla scented candle
A bag full of decorations
Insects of a sufficient size
Adoration
The job hunt
Coffee
A pair of shoes
A much-needed haircut
Exercise
Stouts
Vodka
Sleepless Nights
Brief moments from the season premiere of "Chuck"
And assorted other things that don't readily spring to mind.
This was not an exercise in word association, but rather a list of associated words. There's a difference, I promise. I've found in life that there are some associations you'd rather your brain not automatically make for you. This can be for any number of reasons - they lead to temptation, they remind of times that cannot be relived, they are bittersweet, they are distracting, they are inappropriate.
For me, this list of items is a bittersweet set. I don't completely dislike the association - but my life would be considerably less frustrating if I could shut off the association. Such is life, I suppose - but it doesn't change the fact that sometimes my mind is my own worst enemy. Silly brain.
Silly, silly, brain.
9.19.2010
The Two Towers Highlight
Rather than an observation of an event in the novel, as with The Fellowship of the Ring - I would like merely to record my favorite exchange from The Two Towers.
It is on the precipice of ill events, just as Gandalf's tumble in the previous part... while Sam and Frodo dine upon what they expect will be a final substantive meal, after climbing the stairs of Cirith Ungol...
"I don't like anything here at all," said Frodo, "step or stone, breath or bone. Earth, air and water all seem accursed. But so our path is laid."
"Yes, that's so," said Sam. "And we shouldn't be here at all, if we'd known more about it before we started. But I suppose if's often that way. The brave things in the old tales and songs, Mr. Frodo: adventures, as I used to call them. I used to think that they were things the wonderful folk of the stories went out and looked for, because they wanted them, because they were exciting and life was a bit dull, a kind of a sport, as you might say. But that's not the way of it with the tales that really mattered, of the ones that stay in the mind. Folk seem to have been just landed in them, usually - their paths were laid that way, as you put it. But I expect they had lots of chances, like us, of turning back, only they didn't. And if they had, we shouldn't know, because they'd have been forgotten. We hear about those as just went on - and not all to a good end, mind you; at least not to what folk inside a story and not outside it call a good end. You know, coming home, and finding things all right, though not quite the same - like old Mr. Bilbo. But those aren't always the best tales to hear, though they may be the best tales to get landed in! I wonder what sort of a tale we've fallen into?"
"I wonder," said Frodo. "But I don't know. And that's the way of a real tale. Take any one that you're fond of. You may know, or guess, what kind of tale it is, happy-ending or sad-ending, but the people in it don't know. And you don't want them to."
Not only is this a clever wink to the audience of the story (both those who know how it turns out and those who don't), but I think it's a simultaneously humbling and uplifting summary of things. I don't really know where I'm headed, but perhaps it's okay that I don't. I may not like the adventure that I'm in the middle of, but it will never be told if I don't see it through. This section, in its own round-about way, has put much in perspective for me.
I just wanted to put that down.
Now for the Return of the King.
It is on the precipice of ill events, just as Gandalf's tumble in the previous part... while Sam and Frodo dine upon what they expect will be a final substantive meal, after climbing the stairs of Cirith Ungol...
"I don't like anything here at all," said Frodo, "step or stone, breath or bone. Earth, air and water all seem accursed. But so our path is laid."
"Yes, that's so," said Sam. "And we shouldn't be here at all, if we'd known more about it before we started. But I suppose if's often that way. The brave things in the old tales and songs, Mr. Frodo: adventures, as I used to call them. I used to think that they were things the wonderful folk of the stories went out and looked for, because they wanted them, because they were exciting and life was a bit dull, a kind of a sport, as you might say. But that's not the way of it with the tales that really mattered, of the ones that stay in the mind. Folk seem to have been just landed in them, usually - their paths were laid that way, as you put it. But I expect they had lots of chances, like us, of turning back, only they didn't. And if they had, we shouldn't know, because they'd have been forgotten. We hear about those as just went on - and not all to a good end, mind you; at least not to what folk inside a story and not outside it call a good end. You know, coming home, and finding things all right, though not quite the same - like old Mr. Bilbo. But those aren't always the best tales to hear, though they may be the best tales to get landed in! I wonder what sort of a tale we've fallen into?"
"I wonder," said Frodo. "But I don't know. And that's the way of a real tale. Take any one that you're fond of. You may know, or guess, what kind of tale it is, happy-ending or sad-ending, but the people in it don't know. And you don't want them to."
Not only is this a clever wink to the audience of the story (both those who know how it turns out and those who don't), but I think it's a simultaneously humbling and uplifting summary of things. I don't really know where I'm headed, but perhaps it's okay that I don't. I may not like the adventure that I'm in the middle of, but it will never be told if I don't see it through. This section, in its own round-about way, has put much in perspective for me.
I just wanted to put that down.
Now for the Return of the King.
9.15.2010
Random thought...
While there have been many parts that I have enjoyed putting my own images to thus far in my reading, I'd have to say that the battle at Khazad-Dum has been my favorite. Not merely for the chance to make the Balrog more nebulous and ethereal (two qualities which I find much more terrifying than a clear picture) - but also for the moments leading up to Gandalf's stand on the bridge itself. As the Company flees the chamber of Mazarbul, Gandalf stays behind to slow the pursuing orcs. Shortly after the group reaches the level below, Gandalf rejoins them and says something along the lines of "I've done what I can - let's move out."
For whatever reason, despite the dire situation, this part came across, to me, as a tiny bit of physical comedy. Gandalf casts a spell to ward off a small army (later revealed to have been a more arduous task than it seemed), is knocked on his butt, rolls down a flight of stairs to his 8 comrades. I picture their jaws loose, concerned that their friend has bit the big one, at which point he gets to his feet, and says (in my mind) nonchalantly, "Right then, carry on." - purposely leaving out specific details as to what it is he's done.
Anyhoo... back to reading.
For whatever reason, despite the dire situation, this part came across, to me, as a tiny bit of physical comedy. Gandalf casts a spell to ward off a small army (later revealed to have been a more arduous task than it seemed), is knocked on his butt, rolls down a flight of stairs to his 8 comrades. I picture their jaws loose, concerned that their friend has bit the big one, at which point he gets to his feet, and says (in my mind) nonchalantly, "Right then, carry on." - purposely leaving out specific details as to what it is he's done.
Anyhoo... back to reading.
9.09.2010
A week in a nutshell (oh no, it's trapped in a nutshell!)
What's that? Why yes, yes I am posting more often than probably ever before. Chalk it up to unemployment - you get to hear more Words of Whiz Dumb. Hooray!
An average week in the life of Jason Gambon:
Sunday: sleep in, watch sports, go to church, hang out with and minister to teenagers.
Monday: oh no, it's Monday... check status of application, claw out hair, eat a cookie, watch sports
Tuesday: not too much to report, watch Braves game, mess around online, think thoughts - sometimes DEEP ONES! Or Depp ones. Like hands made of scissors or pirates or... where was I?
Wednesday: (get over the) hump day for most - but not for me! It's one of the days where I *do* things! Off to church in the evening for youth group stuff and "leading" confirmation classes. Sometimes adoration with the teens, which is always awesome. Sometimes adoration on my own - good, too. Usually a late night for me. I've found that Wednesday nights are when I do most of my examining and critical thinking. Perhaps a hold over from last minute prep for Thursdays as an intern - but I don't think so.
Thursday: check on applications again, weep bitterly in a dark corner (kidding), try to avoid facebook as much as possible between about 2 and 10 PM, watch sports. Thursdays are bittersweet. They make me happy for a large group of people, but also make me miss said group of people.
Friday: lots of nothing, perhaps some sports-watching
Saturday: sports-watching and internet surfing for things to inspire writing and creativity
Sunday: repeat!
It's certainly not all the things I do - but the minutiae aren't that fun to describe. Like, for example - I take breaths, chew food, play video games, walk dogs, and I think you get the picture. Though I am partial to taking breaths.
I promise I'm not obsessing over this whole "no job" thing - I actually find a source for humor. Hence the (hopefully) humorous tinge of the last few blog posts.
Anyhoo, for now - I'm off! Largely in the head!
An average week in the life of Jason Gambon:
Sunday: sleep in, watch sports, go to church, hang out with and minister to teenagers.
Monday: oh no, it's Monday... check status of application, claw out hair, eat a cookie, watch sports
Tuesday: not too much to report, watch Braves game, mess around online, think thoughts - sometimes DEEP ONES! Or Depp ones. Like hands made of scissors or pirates or... where was I?
Wednesday: (get over the) hump day for most - but not for me! It's one of the days where I *do* things! Off to church in the evening for youth group stuff and "leading" confirmation classes. Sometimes adoration with the teens, which is always awesome. Sometimes adoration on my own - good, too. Usually a late night for me. I've found that Wednesday nights are when I do most of my examining and critical thinking. Perhaps a hold over from last minute prep for Thursdays as an intern - but I don't think so.
Thursday: check on applications again, weep bitterly in a dark corner (kidding), try to avoid facebook as much as possible between about 2 and 10 PM, watch sports. Thursdays are bittersweet. They make me happy for a large group of people, but also make me miss said group of people.
Friday: lots of nothing, perhaps some sports-watching
Saturday: sports-watching and internet surfing for things to inspire writing and creativity
Sunday: repeat!
It's certainly not all the things I do - but the minutiae aren't that fun to describe. Like, for example - I take breaths, chew food, play video games, walk dogs, and I think you get the picture. Though I am partial to taking breaths.
I promise I'm not obsessing over this whole "no job" thing - I actually find a source for humor. Hence the (hopefully) humorous tinge of the last few blog posts.
Anyhoo, for now - I'm off! Largely in the head!
Observation
The observation itself will come later. Just a seed of something I'd like to expound upon at another time. When I'm not describing my day-to-day life, I've found that this blog is more of a place (one of many) where I mark down ideas.
But now - the day-to-day. I found out yesterday that a church roughly 10 minutes from my house does perpetual adoration. This brought me no end of excitement and anticipation.
I spent 7 hours at my church yesterday doing all sort of awesome things. This volunteer opportunity with the youth at my church is already more rewarding than I anticipated. And I haven't even gotten to know many of the teens yet (though I'm sure that is coming :) ). So anyway, while I was there yesterday - I packed up and moved boxes, I replaced fluorescent lights, I removed wall floor molding, I pulled nails out of a concrete wall, filled the resulting holes with pump-able concrete, moved and played tetris with lots of big and heavy furniture, put together a very tall and very heavy table, emptied a storage closet of its contents, and removed shelving from the walls in said closet. It was fun. Which might seem weird to some - but I don't mind manual labor when it isn't repetitive.
Tonight, on a night when the youth group actually meets regularly, I stood in a room with about 100 tenth graders. I was every-so-slightly overwhelmed. They are candidates for Confirmation - a Catholic sacrament that essentially marks a person's entrance into spiritual adulthood (but don't quote me on that). It's a pretty big deal.
Tomorrow, I intend to do more manual labor. Sure, I'd still like a job - but having something to keep me busy is nice, too.
Now, for that observation. I have discovered, both through my own experiences and careful observation, that the vast majority of human beings have trouble with rites of passage. Whether this is due to apathy, fear, a lack of perseverance, or some other factor is different for different people. I have more to say on this sometime - describing my own struggles, for example.
For now, though, I am off (both in the head, and away from the internet). I think tomorrow I shall have a delicious lunch, go to adoration for a while, then head over to church to paint and do other fun things. Hooray!
But now - the day-to-day. I found out yesterday that a church roughly 10 minutes from my house does perpetual adoration. This brought me no end of excitement and anticipation.
I spent 7 hours at my church yesterday doing all sort of awesome things. This volunteer opportunity with the youth at my church is already more rewarding than I anticipated. And I haven't even gotten to know many of the teens yet (though I'm sure that is coming :) ). So anyway, while I was there yesterday - I packed up and moved boxes, I replaced fluorescent lights, I removed wall floor molding, I pulled nails out of a concrete wall, filled the resulting holes with pump-able concrete, moved and played tetris with lots of big and heavy furniture, put together a very tall and very heavy table, emptied a storage closet of its contents, and removed shelving from the walls in said closet. It was fun. Which might seem weird to some - but I don't mind manual labor when it isn't repetitive.
Tonight, on a night when the youth group actually meets regularly, I stood in a room with about 100 tenth graders. I was every-so-slightly overwhelmed. They are candidates for Confirmation - a Catholic sacrament that essentially marks a person's entrance into spiritual adulthood (but don't quote me on that). It's a pretty big deal.
Tomorrow, I intend to do more manual labor. Sure, I'd still like a job - but having something to keep me busy is nice, too.
Now, for that observation. I have discovered, both through my own experiences and careful observation, that the vast majority of human beings have trouble with rites of passage. Whether this is due to apathy, fear, a lack of perseverance, or some other factor is different for different people. I have more to say on this sometime - describing my own struggles, for example.
For now, though, I am off (both in the head, and away from the internet). I think tomorrow I shall have a delicious lunch, go to adoration for a while, then head over to church to paint and do other fun things. Hooray!
9.06.2010
Recently
Summer wedding count: 1-1-1-1
There were four weddings going on this summer that I expected to be at. All four of them played out in different ways, in declining order of the magnitude of my role. I was a member of the wedding party in the first. I was invited to and attended the second. I was invited to and unable to attend the third. I wasn't invited to the fourth.
This last, albeit disappointing, wasn't that surprising.
In other news - I wish I'd read the Lord of the Rings sooner. I'm finding it extremely enjoyable for a number of reasons. First off - I do voices for characters in my head... I always have, but this is a skill which has been refined in recent years. Secondly - though sometimes tiresome, I really enjoy the poetry and songs including in the narrative. Thirdly - there are some absolutely brilliant and subtle lines in there. Fourthly - the bits and pieces that I've missed out on due to only being familiar with film versions.
Mind you, I'm not very far at all. Nearing the end of book one of the Fellowship. They've just set out from Bree with Strider - but even if that short span, I've found it extremely enjoyable.
In just over a month - I will have the penultimate installment of the Wheel of Time in my hands, which I will likely devour quickly. Then, have a year's wait to relish its closing.
Lately, when I've typed, I've found that I use a greater number of big words... and I can't place exactly why. Probably because I'm reading regularly again. My vocabulary has never been small, but it has been better utilized when I'm in the middle of a good book. The problem has been that I've made little time to read books of any substance in the past year or so. Aside from, I believe, the previous installment of the Wheel of Time, and now - the Lord of the Rings.
I feel as though I had a more distinct reason for signing onto the ole blog and sharing my thoughts - but it now eludes me.
I had the pleasure of visiting Athens last week for a CCF event and a friend's baptism. It was a bit surreal and bittersweet - but a blast, overall. I have little reason to place the weight of this on any one particular origin - but the place felt brighter and happier. Some would suggest a clear and obvious reason for this - but I would disagree with them. Their reason may well be a part of it, but it is not the main contributor. Regrettably - I chose to come on a night with a guest speaker. A man for whom I have little respect, despite, I'm sure, the best intentions. But this particular displeasure was muted by seeing my friends and former students leading worship, running sound, running powerpoint, speaking at the front of the room, starring in announcement videos, going about their leadership roles, and just generally functioning as a close-knit family. I was awed at the magnetism and positivity of the new interns. I was impressed with the new leaders. I cried tears of joy when my friend was baptized. And all this was but the beginning of my time there.
That night, I basked in the hospitality of three of the men at CCF with whom I was closer than some. There was good conversation, good card games, and (ultimately) a great meal.
Throughout my time there I had the opportunity to catch up with lots of people - and though I may not have had much in the way of exciting news, I ate up every bit that they had to share. I learned about fantastic pranks, adventures in foreign lands, adventures in local lands, summer jobs, budding romances, passionate hearts, and so much more.
It was good.
In general news - still job-hunting, and surprisingly full of doubt and uncertainty about numerous other things, but also paradoxically confident. Maybe that's the prayers.
There were four weddings going on this summer that I expected to be at. All four of them played out in different ways, in declining order of the magnitude of my role. I was a member of the wedding party in the first. I was invited to and attended the second. I was invited to and unable to attend the third. I wasn't invited to the fourth.
This last, albeit disappointing, wasn't that surprising.
In other news - I wish I'd read the Lord of the Rings sooner. I'm finding it extremely enjoyable for a number of reasons. First off - I do voices for characters in my head... I always have, but this is a skill which has been refined in recent years. Secondly - though sometimes tiresome, I really enjoy the poetry and songs including in the narrative. Thirdly - there are some absolutely brilliant and subtle lines in there. Fourthly - the bits and pieces that I've missed out on due to only being familiar with film versions.
Mind you, I'm not very far at all. Nearing the end of book one of the Fellowship. They've just set out from Bree with Strider - but even if that short span, I've found it extremely enjoyable.
In just over a month - I will have the penultimate installment of the Wheel of Time in my hands, which I will likely devour quickly. Then, have a year's wait to relish its closing.
Lately, when I've typed, I've found that I use a greater number of big words... and I can't place exactly why. Probably because I'm reading regularly again. My vocabulary has never been small, but it has been better utilized when I'm in the middle of a good book. The problem has been that I've made little time to read books of any substance in the past year or so. Aside from, I believe, the previous installment of the Wheel of Time, and now - the Lord of the Rings.
I feel as though I had a more distinct reason for signing onto the ole blog and sharing my thoughts - but it now eludes me.
I had the pleasure of visiting Athens last week for a CCF event and a friend's baptism. It was a bit surreal and bittersweet - but a blast, overall. I have little reason to place the weight of this on any one particular origin - but the place felt brighter and happier. Some would suggest a clear and obvious reason for this - but I would disagree with them. Their reason may well be a part of it, but it is not the main contributor. Regrettably - I chose to come on a night with a guest speaker. A man for whom I have little respect, despite, I'm sure, the best intentions. But this particular displeasure was muted by seeing my friends and former students leading worship, running sound, running powerpoint, speaking at the front of the room, starring in announcement videos, going about their leadership roles, and just generally functioning as a close-knit family. I was awed at the magnetism and positivity of the new interns. I was impressed with the new leaders. I cried tears of joy when my friend was baptized. And all this was but the beginning of my time there.
That night, I basked in the hospitality of three of the men at CCF with whom I was closer than some. There was good conversation, good card games, and (ultimately) a great meal.
Throughout my time there I had the opportunity to catch up with lots of people - and though I may not have had much in the way of exciting news, I ate up every bit that they had to share. I learned about fantastic pranks, adventures in foreign lands, adventures in local lands, summer jobs, budding romances, passionate hearts, and so much more.
It was good.
In general news - still job-hunting, and surprisingly full of doubt and uncertainty about numerous other things, but also paradoxically confident. Maybe that's the prayers.
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