Music and movies

Watching AMC's "We love the movies you love" commercial makes me want to take a whole week to watch good movies I've never seen before with my best friends.  It's the music, I swear.  The music of the commercial.  The great shots and the epic emotion in the faces of the famous movie characters during the commercials help a lot, too, but the music makes it all pierce.

Have you seen many Liberty Mutual commercials?  I'm convinced that they have brilliance on their marketing team.  They have the most beautiful songs in their ads.  Check out this one I noticed last year.  It features "Half Acre" by Hem.  A beautiful and simple song.  I saw one today for the first time.  The music is lovely.  From the comments on the video, I gather that the music was composed just for this commercial, so it's not for sale or anything.  The audacity.  Just like with that exciting music from the Xfinity commercial.  I worked so hard to figure out where that music was from!  By the way, if you find yourself having the same missions, I recommend Adtunes.com.  In fact, it's Adtunes that just now told me that it's the non-choir version of Perfect 10 from Immediate Music that's used in that AMC commercial.  Thanks, Adtunes!

Image: Bob Willoughby via luceplace tumblr

I'm watching Pearl Harbor right now.  The first time I watched it was when I was way too young to watch it.  I was just a little scarred.  Now, about ten years later, I feel like I'm watching it for the first time.  I also watched My Fair Lady for the first time this past week with my sister.  There you have it, friends!  I have now seen Audrey Hepburn, and, I gotta say, I totally understand what all the fuss is about.  I don't care much for the movie as a whole, but Audrey is something else.  I've heard the iconic Breakfast at Tiffany's isn't that great, and I don't know how much the plot appeals right now, but I want to see it just to watch her grace and her adorability again.  Taylor and I both would exclaim, "Gasp!  She's so cute!"

If you had to make a list of must-see movies, what would you put on the list?  I really want to know.  Which ones would we watch if we took a week to watch excellent films?

On my list would be How to Train Your Dragon, Cinderella Man, 3:10 to Yuma, and Nacho Libre.

Music and movies

Watching AMC's "We love the movies you love" commercial makes me want to take a whole week to watch good movies I've never seen before with my best friends.  It's the music, I swear.  The music of the commercial.  The great shots and the epic emotion in the faces of the famous movie characters during the commercials help a lot, too, but the music makes it all pierce.

Have you seen many Liberty Mutual commercials?  I'm convinced that they have brilliance on their marketing team.  They have the most beautiful songs in their ads.  Check out this one I noticed last year.  It features "Half Acre" by Hem.  A beautiful and simple song.  I saw one today for the first time.  The music is lovely.  From the comments on the video, I gather that the music was composed just for this commercial, so it's not for sale or anything.  The audacity.  Just like with that exciting music from the Xfinity commercial.  I worked so hard to figure out where that music was from!  By the way, if you find yourself having the same missions, I recommend Adtunes.com.  In fact, it's Adtunes that just now told me that it's the non-choir version of Perfect 10 from Immediate Music that's used in that AMC commercial.  Thanks, Adtunes!

Image: Bob Willoughby via luceplace tumblr

I'm watching Pearl Harbor right now.  The first time I watched it was when I was way too young to watch it.  I was just a little scarred.  Now, about ten years later, I feel like I'm watching it for the first time.  I also watched My Fair Lady for the first time this past week with my sister.  There you have it, friends!  I have now seen Audrey Hepburn, and, I gotta say, I totally understand what all the fuss is about.  I don't care much for the movie as a whole, but Audrey is something else.  I've heard the iconic Breakfast at Tiffany's isn't that great, and I don't know how much the plot appeals right now, but I want to see it just to watch her grace and her adorability again.  Taylor and I both would exclaim, "Gasp!  She's so cute!"

If you had to make a list of must-see movies, what would you put on the list?  I really want to know.  Which ones would we watch if we took a week to watch excellent films?

On my list would be How to Train Your Dragon, Cinderella Man, 3:10 to Yuma, and Nacho Libre.

Fill in the Blank Friday and Mr. Gene's gettin' published!

Firstly, because it's Friday,
This week's Fill in the Blanks from Lauren!

Image: Banana Republic
I tried on this on this weekend, but it didn't work out.
Bummer.

1. I am currently obsessed with dusty rose dresses because I need to find one for Millie's wedding.  Also feathers and leaves, but that's all the time.


2. Today I am appeased because I thought work was going to be horrible because I had to wake up at 4 to get there at 5.  Turned out to be not that bad at all.  I yawned a lot, but having the store to myself (and my manager) for 3 hours without customers is great.


3. The age I am: 22.  The age I feel: 21 and a half.  I think.  I felt like 30 earlier this week, though, when I had some very grown up things to think about.


4. My favorite place is Bryan College, but it won't be for forever because my friends won't be there for much longer than a couple more years.  Another favorite place is the bold and beautiful woods behind my Grandma Lisa's house.  I still haven't explored the whole thing, and I really hope I get to go back again.


5. Something I've procrastinating is journaling.  I've been meaning to write down some huge things since Tuesday.


6. The last thing I purchased was a 25 pack of manila envelopes to mail a copy of Mr. Gene's Vietnam stories to a friend of his.


7. The think I love most about my home is the instruments inside it and the woods outside of it.  The people inside are pretty cool, too.

 ------------------------------------------------------------

I went over to Mr. Gene's today for our weekly work.  He had exciting news to share: he's found a publisher!  His plan is to have the book published in August, but he needs to get around 28,000 more words to have enough material for his book.  Oy.

Anyways, Mr. Gene showed me this publisher's business card.  Mrs. Swanee with Jawbone Publishing.  And she lives nearby.  And how about we stop over at her place.

"Wait, you mean today?"

Yes, today.

"Have you called her?"

He's called her, but he hadn't really gotten a hold of her in the last few days.  But, you know, Lindsay, he's worked so hard for this.  He was a janitor, he was a mechanic, he did this and then he did this, and now he's forgotten where he was going with that, but shoot for your dreams!

But, no, she's not expecting us.  We're going to stop by anyway, because we gotta go for this!  Ok, sure, let's do it.  When drove to the address and pulled up in front of this really shady broken down house that looked like no one had lived in it for years.  Mr. Gene said (finally), "Maybe I oughta call her."  I lend him my cell phone, and I listen to the closest side of the conversation:  "Mrs. Swanee?  This is Gene...  hello.  I've got a few things to show you.  ...Sure, how about that?  Wednesday?  (he looks at me)  Morning or Afternoon?  (I nod to morning)...  Yes, that'd be great.  Now, where exactly is your place?  Because I'm standing at the address...  Yes, and there's a mailbox...  Oh, to the end of the driveway?  ...I'm so sorry.  ...Ok, well, we'll be there in a minute.  ...See ya."

We drove further and came to a charming house set back in the woods with a cherry tree in the front and a pond on the side.  Mrs. Swanee opened the door to us when I rang the doorbell.  "I didn't realize you were standing by the road!" she said as she ushered us in, assured us her birthday evening could wait, and convinced us to take a seat at her dining room table.  This lady was the epitome of Southern charm and hospitality to us.  We were suddenly the most important people int he world and Mr. Gene especially deserved all of her attention.  She patiently listened to his new stories he wanted to add and added surprised gasps and understanding "mhm's" at the perfect moments.  She showed us her printing room where she makes the books and binds them.  Quite fascinating, it was.

I felt very humbled by her welcoming spirit, and I was sensitive to us not taking up much of her time, but her countenance didn't show any displeasure whatsoever.  She is lovely.  And, I think she is a great fit for this project.  Onward!

Fill in the Blank Friday and Mr. Gene's gettin' published!

Firstly, because it's Friday,
This week's Fill in the Blanks from Lauren!

Image: Banana Republic
I tried on this on this weekend, but it didn't work out.
Bummer.

1. I am currently obsessed with dusty rose dresses because I need to find one for Millie's wedding.  Also feathers and leaves, but that's all the time.


2. Today I am appeased because I thought work was going to be horrible because I had to wake up at 4 to get there at 5.  Turned out to be not that bad at all.  I yawned a lot, but having the store to myself (and my manager) for 3 hours without customers is great.


3. The age I am: 22.  The age I feel: 21 and a half.  I think.  I felt like 30 earlier this week, though, when I had some very grown up things to think about.


4. My favorite place is Bryan College, but it won't be for forever because my friends won't be there for much longer than a couple more years.  Another favorite place is the bold and beautiful woods behind my Grandma Lisa's house.  I still haven't explored the whole thing, and I really hope I get to go back again.


5. Something I've procrastinating is journaling.  I've been meaning to write down some huge things since Tuesday.


6. The last thing I purchased was a 25 pack of manila envelopes to mail a copy of Mr. Gene's Vietnam stories to a friend of his.


7. The think I love most about my home is the instruments inside it and the woods outside of it.  The people inside are pretty cool, too.

 ------------------------------------------------------------

I went over to Mr. Gene's today for our weekly work.  He had exciting news to share: he's found a publisher!  His plan is to have the book published in August, but he needs to get around 28,000 more words to have enough material for his book.  Oy.

Anyways, Mr. Gene showed me this publisher's business card.  Mrs. Swanee with Jawbone Publishing.  And she lives nearby.  And how about we stop over at her place.

"Wait, you mean today?"

Yes, today.

"Have you called her?"

He's called her, but he hadn't really gotten a hold of her in the last few days.  But, you know, Lindsay, he's worked so hard for this.  He was a janitor, he was a mechanic, he did this and then he did this, and now he's forgotten where he was going with that, but shoot for your dreams!

But, no, she's not expecting us.  We're going to stop by anyway, because we gotta go for this!  Ok, sure, let's do it.  When drove to the address and pulled up in front of this really shady broken down house that looked like no one had lived in it for years.  Mr. Gene said (finally), "Maybe I oughta call her."  I lend him my cell phone, and I listen to the closest side of the conversation:  "Mrs. Swanee?  This is Gene...  hello.  I've got a few things to show you.  ...Sure, how about that?  Wednesday?  (he looks at me)  Morning or Afternoon?  (I nod to morning)...  Yes, that'd be great.  Now, where exactly is your place?  Because I'm standing at the address...  Yes, and there's a mailbox...  Oh, to the end of the driveway?  ...I'm so sorry.  ...Ok, well, we'll be there in a minute.  ...See ya."

We drove further and came to a charming house set back in the woods with a cherry tree in the front and a pond on the side.  Mrs. Swanee opened the door to us when I rang the doorbell.  "I didn't realize you were standing by the road!" she said as she ushered us in, assured us her birthday evening could wait, and convinced us to take a seat at her dining room table.  This lady was the epitome of Southern charm and hospitality to us.  We were suddenly the most important people int he world and Mr. Gene especially deserved all of her attention.  She patiently listened to his new stories he wanted to add and added surprised gasps and understanding "mhm's" at the perfect moments.  She showed us her printing room where she makes the books and binds them.  Quite fascinating, it was.

I felt very humbled by her welcoming spirit, and I was sensitive to us not taking up much of her time, but her countenance didn't show any displeasure whatsoever.  She is lovely.  And, I think she is a great fit for this project.  Onward!

Free weekend!

Even though I'm 22, graduated from college, and some kind of an adult, I still want to throw a ridiculous party when my parents leave for vacation.  As soon as they headed out and I headed back inside, I had the compulsion to eat everything in the fridge.  I didn't, thankfully, in fact, I barely did anything.  I caught up on my tv shows and started watching Titanic and A Knight's Tale.

I've made a list of things to do while I have the house to myself: clean up my room, make and send postcards, pack for my upcoming weekend trip, and, you know, I have that 101 in 1,001 list, too.  I was a little concerned as I watched myself have another lazy morning the next day, but, at least I was eating really healthily.  Breakfast was two clementines and a banana.  Second breakfast was an organic waffle with peanut butter and warmed blackberry syrup.  Next came tea, and then a strawberry banana smoothie and some True North nut clusters for lunch.

Still, it would be a crime to not do anything productive during these two days of solitude, and so, I have sat myself down at the piano, and I have written out the first minute and a half of Calliope Meets Frank, I have written and sent 4 postcards, and I have learned how to tie a Half Windsor tie on myself and on the banister who pretended to be a dude for me.  I've also done some laundry, but my list of things to do isn't finished.  I have plans of cranking up some Passion Pit via Pandora as I tackle the clutter in my room, and there's exercise that needs doing, too.

The weather is completely wonderful outside.  76 and sunny.  I've had the windows and the doors open, and I've enjoyed every second of it.  I realized today, though, that I may have some allergies.  Yesterday morning, I woke up with a cough and stuffy nose.  Today was a bit worse.  I don't feel sick, but my throat itches, and my voice it super low.  (I checked this morning: I hit the second A flat below middle C.  My range is three octaves and a sixth today!  But, it really hurts to hit that high F.)

If you find yourself wanting to practice your ear training or you just want some blank sheet music, this is the best place I've found for it: BlankSheetMusic.net  It allows you to choose how many staves are on the page, what clefs you have, etc.  My new favorite for sure.

Enjoy your weekend, friends!  Do things you love!

Blowing for sale on Etsy by jewelkrug

Free weekend!

Even though I'm 22, graduated from college, and some kind of an adult, I still want to throw a ridiculous party when my parents leave for vacation.  As soon as they headed out and I headed back inside, I had the compulsion to eat everything in the fridge.  I didn't, thankfully, in fact, I barely did anything.  I caught up on my tv shows and started watching Titanic and A Knight's Tale.

I've made a list of things to do while I have the house to myself: clean up my room, make and send postcards, pack for my upcoming weekend trip, and, you know, I have that 101 in 1,001 list, too.  I was a little concerned as I watched myself have another lazy morning the next day, but, at least I was eating really healthily.  Breakfast was two clementines and a banana.  Second breakfast was an organic waffle with peanut butter and warmed blackberry syrup.  Next came tea, and then a strawberry banana smoothie and some True North nut clusters for lunch.

Still, it would be a crime to not do anything productive during these two days of solitude, and so, I have sat myself down at the piano, and I have written out the first minute and a half of Calliope Meets Frank, I have written and sent 4 postcards, and I have learned how to tie a Half Windsor tie on myself and on the banister who pretended to be a dude for me.  I've also done some laundry, but my list of things to do isn't finished.  I have plans of cranking up some Passion Pit via Pandora as I tackle the clutter in my room, and there's exercise that needs doing, too.

The weather is completely wonderful outside.  76 and sunny.  I've had the windows and the doors open, and I've enjoyed every second of it.  I realized today, though, that I may have some allergies.  Yesterday morning, I woke up with a cough and stuffy nose.  Today was a bit worse.  I don't feel sick, but my throat itches, and my voice it super low.  (I checked this morning: I hit the second A flat below middle C.  My range is three octaves and a sixth today!  But, it really hurts to hit that high F.)

If you find yourself wanting to practice your ear training or you just want some blank sheet music, this is the best place I've found for it: BlankSheetMusic.net  It allows you to choose how many staves are on the page, what clefs you have, etc.  My new favorite for sure.

Enjoy your weekend, friends!  Do things you love!

Blowing for sale on Etsy by jewelkrug

Snatches and snippets

Sisters and brothers, I'm going to nudge you toward Max's blog again and ask you to read A Good Woman's guide to the 21st Century.  I promise it's good.

Over at ThinkGeek, they have this toy, an electronic butterfly in a jar.  As you can see in the video, the things looks pretty realistic, and I think it's cool.  I really like butterflies.  Last fall, Caleb and I were hanging out at Espresso Lane which a great coffee shop in downtown Newnan.  (It is, in fact, the best place to meet and hang out with people.  Remind me to tell you another story about that...)  Caleb had to take a phone call, and I looked around for something to keep me occupied while he was busy.  They had a "Butterflies of South America" book (or something like that.)  I enjoyed flipping through the pages so very much and looking at all of the pretty fluttery things.

BFF Millie and I love Harry Potter, and we've wanted to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter since we knew it was being built.  They have butterbeer there at the Hog's Head, wands to peruse over at Olivander's shop, and there are dragon rides and all kinds of other excitements!  Today, I came across this recipe for butterbeer!  She and I are totally going to try this when I go live with her for the month of June!

Did you know that there is going to be a special 3D theater showing of Titanic in memory of the 100th anniversary of the ship's sinking?  April 2012, guys, mark your calendars.  I've never seen it, actually.  I remember Mom and Dad going on a date to go see it when it was in theaters back in 1998.  We stayed home (which was a temporary apartment at the time) and watched Disney's Hercules with the babysitter.  Did you see it?  Was it as good as people made it out to be?

Glee: Season 2, episode 12
"Silly Love Songs"

Don't know if you watch Glee, and don't know if I'd recommend it (just kidding, I do know, and the answer is no), but you have got to see what Quinn Fabray was wearing on the recent episode Silly Love Songs!  I was watching it on my laptop while I was baking peanut butter cookies.  When I saw this dress, I gasped and ran to pause the show.  Isn't is so great!?  I love the colors!  So vibrant and exciting!  Belted warm desert colors paired with a navy cardigan and brown cowboy boots.  I love it.

 ------------------------------------------

Ok, that story I mentioned earlier?  With Espresso Lane?  It's great.  It started when I went to the fire department to vote in November.  The lady at the table apologized for the long wait, but I told her I was fine, I had a book.  I got in line and just found my place on the page when the lady in front of me turned and asked what I was reading.  She was intrigued because what I was reading was an old-looking book, the kind that sparks interest in any book lover.  I showed her my book (They Call It Pacific) and we talked about reading and authors and Malcolm Gladwell and then she says, out of the blue, "I want you to meet my son!"  Um... K?  She seemed very embarrassed by her outburst, but she explained how her son (who's my age) was new to the area having just graduated from Yale and having come to hang with the family in Newnan for a while.  Naturally, you don't know anyone your age when you first move to a new place.  She seemed to think we would get along (we both like Malcolm Gladwell), and I was a nice girl, and... I told her I'd catch up with her after we voted.

Instead of clarifying with this woman that she wasn't exactly trying to set me up with her son, I told her my name and I asked if her son was on facebook.  I explained it would be much, much less awkward to find him on facebook than to call him.  She was so excited as she wrote down his name for me.  I smiled and wondered what I'd done.

A few days later, I met this guy at Espresso Lane.  We sat and chatted for two hours!  We talked about our colleges and their vast differences, about movies, drinking, and how there's not much to do in Newnan for fun.  (I'm on something of a mission to try and prove that wrong, by the way).  It was cool, fun, and relaxed.  We exchanged numbers as we parted ways, and I felt like I should hug him when we said bye, but I didn't, and I think that's a good thing.  We haven't been in contact with each other since.  Ha.  I've wished many times that I had something to invite him to so he could meet some other folks in the area, but I'm pretty sure he wouldn't be interested in Bible study.  Ah well.

And that's my story.  :)

Snatches and snippets

Sisters and brothers, I'm going to nudge you toward Max's blog again and ask you to read A Good Woman's guide to the 21st Century.  I promise it's good.

Over at ThinkGeek, they have this toy, an electronic butterfly in a jar.  As you can see in the video, the things looks pretty realistic, and I think it's cool.  I really like butterflies.  Last fall, Caleb and I were hanging out at Espresso Lane which a great coffee shop in downtown Newnan.  (It is, in fact, the best place to meet and hang out with people.  Remind me to tell you another story about that...)  Caleb had to take a phone call, and I looked around for something to keep me occupied while he was busy.  They had a "Butterflies of South America" book (or something like that.)  I enjoyed flipping through the pages so very much and looking at all of the pretty fluttery things.

BFF Millie and I love Harry Potter, and we've wanted to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter since we knew it was being built.  They have butterbeer there at the Hog's Head, wands to peruse over at Olivander's shop, and there are dragon rides and all kinds of other excitements!  Today, I came across this recipe for butterbeer!  She and I are totally going to try this when I go live with her for the month of June!

Did you know that there is going to be a special 3D theater showing of Titanic in memory of the 100th anniversary of the ship's sinking?  April 2012, guys, mark your calendars.  I've never seen it, actually.  I remember Mom and Dad going on a date to go see it when it was in theaters back in 1998.  We stayed home (which was a temporary apartment at the time) and watched Disney's Hercules with the babysitter.  Did you see it?  Was it as good as people made it out to be?

Glee: Season 2, episode 12
"Silly Love Songs"

Don't know if you watch Glee, and don't know if I'd recommend it (just kidding, I do know, and the answer is no), but you have got to see what Quinn Fabray was wearing on the recent episode Silly Love Songs!  I was watching it on my laptop while I was baking peanut butter cookies.  When I saw this dress, I gasped and ran to pause the show.  Isn't is so great!?  I love the colors!  So vibrant and exciting!  Belted warm desert colors paired with a navy cardigan and brown cowboy boots.  I love it.

 ------------------------------------------

Ok, that story I mentioned earlier?  With Espresso Lane?  It's great.  It started when I went to the fire department to vote in November.  The lady at the table apologized for the long wait, but I told her I was fine, I had a book.  I got in line and just found my place on the page when the lady in front of me turned and asked what I was reading.  She was intrigued because what I was reading was an old-looking book, the kind that sparks interest in any book lover.  I showed her my book (They Call It Pacific) and we talked about reading and authors and Malcolm Gladwell and then she says, out of the blue, "I want you to meet my son!"  Um... K?  She seemed very embarrassed by her outburst, but she explained how her son (who's my age) was new to the area having just graduated from Yale and having come to hang with the family in Newnan for a while.  Naturally, you don't know anyone your age when you first move to a new place.  She seemed to think we would get along (we both like Malcolm Gladwell), and I was a nice girl, and... I told her I'd catch up with her after we voted.

Instead of clarifying with this woman that she wasn't exactly trying to set me up with her son, I told her my name and I asked if her son was on facebook.  I explained it would be much, much less awkward to find him on facebook than to call him.  She was so excited as she wrote down his name for me.  I smiled and wondered what I'd done.

A few days later, I met this guy at Espresso Lane.  We sat and chatted for two hours!  We talked about our colleges and their vast differences, about movies, drinking, and how there's not much to do in Newnan for fun.  (I'm on something of a mission to try and prove that wrong, by the way).  It was cool, fun, and relaxed.  We exchanged numbers as we parted ways, and I felt like I should hug him when we said bye, but I didn't, and I think that's a good thing.  We haven't been in contact with each other since.  Ha.  I've wished many times that I had something to invite him to so he could meet some other folks in the area, but I'm pretty sure he wouldn't be interested in Bible study.  Ah well.

And that's my story.  :)

Finally!

11:40 AM
Guys!  Guys!  I'm at work right now on my break, and I have to tell you this!  My FBI fingerprint cards finally came in!  I'm going to get my prints done today when I get off @ 2 and before I meet with Mr. Gene @ 3!  Gosh, if anything else gets in my way this time, I'm driving up to the FBI headquarters (in West Virginia?) for this!

 ------------------------------------------------------------

7:30 PM

Ok, kids, I've got them.  The fingerprints.  They've been printed.  And by "printed," I mean with a printer.  The Coweta County Jail has this neat machine that scans, copies, and prints your fingerprints right onto the official FBI card that took a week to get to you.  Just like a regular printer, really, but I had getting ink smudged on my hands in mind, so I was surprised.

Sounds all groovy, yeah?  I thought so, too, when I was telling Mom and Taylor the story at dinner, and then I remembered the frustrating part.

You know, this is the fifth time I've gone to try to get these prints.  I've also called the jail and the FBI and all that, too.  It's been a long and draining process.  As I got out of the car, I took it for granted that something new would go wrong.  I'm not the kind of girl who has that strong womanly intuition, but, this time, my guts knew what was up.

I waited in line looking more timid than I wanted to, and I stepped up to the window when it was my turn.  I told the lady in a long string, "I'mheretogetmyfingerprintsdoneforanFBIcheck,andIhavethecards!"  I didn't want her to stop me and tell me to go home again, I guess.  She made my heart jump when she said, "Ok.  I need your driver's license, $5, and the card."  What wondrous circumstances!  I just so happened to have all of those things!  In fact, they're all right here in my bag!  I even have cash!  In my wallet.  Which is... not here.

Crap.

I look up at the lady and tell her I'll be back in the most convincing tone my exasperation allowed.  I knew I had my wallet with me when I just paid for something at work.  And I threw it into my car, didn't I?  Why didn't I put it in my bag?  Why is it not on my passenger's seat?  Or under my seat?  Woah.  I didn't leave it at work, did I?

Before I started thinking of kicking myself, I found it laying in the back of the car.  Whew!  I headed back to the jail office talking to myself and mustering my confidence the whole way back.  I'm sure I looked like a lunatic.

After waiting in line again and proving to the lady that I had been telling the truth about coming back, I practically threw my money, license, and the card at her.  And then she said this stupid thing.  "Exact change only."

"You gotta be kidding me."

I hoped to hear something like, "Ha!  You're right!  February Fools!  I've got change right here!"  In reality, she didn't say anything.  I turned to face the rest of the room and said as loud as I needed to for everyone to hear, "Does anyone have change for a ten?"

This one man who had been nice and had asked if I'd found my wallet started checking, and and found a five.  He kept looking and found three singles.  "I've only got eight."  I come up to him and say, "Please... can I just take the eight?"

"I think I can work that out."

I was so desperate to get this stuff over with.  Really.

The man did say he'd give me my change back if he ever saw me again.

Back to the counter I went.  She accepted my offering this time, and I was called back for all I told you about earlier.  When the dude who did my prints finished with the printing and started signing the card, I was overwhelmed with relief, and my eyes got moist.  I gave him my sincerest thanks and nearly skipped out the building.  As I pulled away, I wanted to yell and curse at the jail, but I kept the mean words inside and just waved and told it something like, "I hope I never see you again."

By the time I got home 25 hours later, it was a wear-someone-else's-hoodie kind of afternoon.  Do you know what I mean?  Brothers' or boyfriends' hoodies would work best, but my sisters' will work in a pinch as one did today.

------------------------------------------------------------

I hung out with Mr. Gene again today for two hours.  He's really pumped about getting more done with his stories.  Coweta County is going to have a big to do in October honoring the Vietnam veterans, and he wants to have his book ready by then, so he wants us to meet weekly again.  I convinced him to take a picture with me, and I have it here!  See, guys?  This is my good friend, Mr. Gene!  I love him.  : )

------------------------------------------------------------

Lastly, watch this.  I find it hilarious and great at cheering me up.

Finally!

11:40 AM
Guys!  Guys!  I'm at work right now on my break, and I have to tell you this!  My FBI fingerprint cards finally came in!  I'm going to get my prints done today when I get off @ 2 and before I meet with Mr. Gene @ 3!  Gosh, if anything else gets in my way this time, I'm driving up to the FBI headquarters (in West Virginia?) for this!

 ------------------------------------------------------------

7:30 PM

Ok, kids, I've got them.  The fingerprints.  They've been printed.  And by "printed," I mean with a printer.  The Coweta County Jail has this neat machine that scans, copies, and prints your fingerprints right onto the official FBI card that took a week to get to you.  Just like a regular printer, really, but I had getting ink smudged on my hands in mind, so I was surprised.

Sounds all groovy, yeah?  I thought so, too, when I was telling Mom and Taylor the story at dinner, and then I remembered the frustrating part.

You know, this is the fifth time I've gone to try to get these prints.  I've also called the jail and the FBI and all that, too.  It's been a long and draining process.  As I got out of the car, I took it for granted that something new would go wrong.  I'm not the kind of girl who has that strong womanly intuition, but, this time, my guts knew what was up.

I waited in line looking more timid than I wanted to, and I stepped up to the window when it was my turn.  I told the lady in a long string, "I'mheretogetmyfingerprintsdoneforanFBIcheck,andIhavethecards!"  I didn't want her to stop me and tell me to go home again, I guess.  She made my heart jump when she said, "Ok.  I need your driver's license, $5, and the card."  What wondrous circumstances!  I just so happened to have all of those things!  In fact, they're all right here in my bag!  I even have cash!  In my wallet.  Which is... not here.

Crap.

I look up at the lady and tell her I'll be back in the most convincing tone my exasperation allowed.  I knew I had my wallet with me when I just paid for something at work.  And I threw it into my car, didn't I?  Why didn't I put it in my bag?  Why is it not on my passenger's seat?  Or under my seat?  Woah.  I didn't leave it at work, did I?

Before I started thinking of kicking myself, I found it laying in the back of the car.  Whew!  I headed back to the jail office talking to myself and mustering my confidence the whole way back.  I'm sure I looked like a lunatic.

After waiting in line again and proving to the lady that I had been telling the truth about coming back, I practically threw my money, license, and the card at her.  And then she said this stupid thing.  "Exact change only."

"You gotta be kidding me."

I hoped to hear something like, "Ha!  You're right!  February Fools!  I've got change right here!"  In reality, she didn't say anything.  I turned to face the rest of the room and said as loud as I needed to for everyone to hear, "Does anyone have change for a ten?"

This one man who had been nice and had asked if I'd found my wallet started checking, and and found a five.  He kept looking and found three singles.  "I've only got eight."  I come up to him and say, "Please... can I just take the eight?"

"I think I can work that out."

I was so desperate to get this stuff over with.  Really.

The man did say he'd give me my change back if he ever saw me again.

Back to the counter I went.  She accepted my offering this time, and I was called back for all I told you about earlier.  When the dude who did my prints finished with the printing and started signing the card, I was overwhelmed with relief, and my eyes got moist.  I gave him my sincerest thanks and nearly skipped out the building.  As I pulled away, I wanted to yell and curse at the jail, but I kept the mean words inside and just waved and told it something like, "I hope I never see you again."

By the time I got home 25 hours later, it was a wear-someone-else's-hoodie kind of afternoon.  Do you know what I mean?  Brothers' or boyfriends' hoodies would work best, but my sisters' will work in a pinch as one did today.

------------------------------------------------------------

I hung out with Mr. Gene again today for two hours.  He's really pumped about getting more done with his stories.  Coweta County is going to have a big to do in October honoring the Vietnam veterans, and he wants to have his book ready by then, so he wants us to meet weekly again.  I convinced him to take a picture with me, and I have it here!  See, guys?  This is my good friend, Mr. Gene!  I love him.  : )

------------------------------------------------------------

Lastly, watch this.  I find it hilarious and great at cheering me up.

Happy day, kids!

I've been having conflict with the idea of holidays lately.  I think it's strange, yes.  Dad started it.  He spoke to us at dinner the day after Thanksgiving.  He said that people at work had asked him, "Did you have a good Thanksgiving?"  What does that even mean, he mused.  Aren't we supposed to be thankful all the time?  "In everything give thanks."  And aren't we supposed to think of the wonder of the Messiah's coming all the time?  And aren't we supposed to let our loved ones know we love them all the time?  (And aren't we supposed to wear green all the time?)

Well, yes, but I've come to the (possibly obvious) conclusion that the reason why we celebrate these things worth celebrating with a holiday is to allow for corporate celebration.  All of us take time out of our year to honor and enjoy these things, and we do it together.  Celebrations are always nicer when it's not just you.

And so, I guess I can accept these holidays.  I can accept the idea of all these people coming together and recognizing that these things are good and deserve this time.

Happy Valentine's Day, guys!
Here are some pictures of things I love:

Beautiful puppy
Image: by Anna Theodora

Don't worry, dears, Spring's coming coon!
Image: Chelsea Fuss via Frolic!

Labs are the best.
via Design crush

Her young beauty is stunning.
Image: Maggie via Fotoferia

Almost as good as floo powder power?
Image posted by mychoice vie piccsy

Love this quote
Via queeried via daphnerae

Happy day, kids!

I've been having conflict with the idea of holidays lately.  I think it's strange, yes.  Dad started it.  He spoke to us at dinner the day after Thanksgiving.  He said that people at work had asked him, "Did you have a good Thanksgiving?"  What does that even mean, he mused.  Aren't we supposed to be thankful all the time?  "In everything give thanks."  And aren't we supposed to think of the wonder of the Messiah's coming all the time?  And aren't we supposed to let our loved ones know we love them all the time?  (And aren't we supposed to wear green all the time?)

Well, yes, but I've come to the (possibly obvious) conclusion that the reason why we celebrate these things worth celebrating with a holiday is to allow for corporate celebration.  All of us take time out of our year to honor and enjoy these things, and we do it together.  Celebrations are always nicer when it's not just you.

And so, I guess I can accept these holidays.  I can accept the idea of all these people coming together and recognizing that these things are good and deserve this time.

Happy Valentine's Day, guys!
Here are some pictures of things I love:

Beautiful puppy
Image: by Anna Theodora

Don't worry, dears, Spring's coming coon!
Image: Chelsea Fuss via Frolic!

Labs are the best.
via Design crush

Her young beauty is stunning.
Image: Maggie via Fotoferia

Almost as good as floo powder power?
Image posted by mychoice vie piccsy

Love this quote
Via queeried via daphnerae

Fill in the Blank Friday - Guilty pleasures

I've sat myself on the couch and brought up the laptop and browsed the Interweb, but I have my shorts and t-shirt on and my tennis shoes.  Because I was going to go running.  Heck with this, it's 56 outside!  I'm gonna go running!  But first I'm going to swap my sneaks for my Chacos.  Brb...

Ok!  35 minutes later, I'm feeling much better.  I also have my laptop with me outside on the front porch.  I love this.

So Lauren's blanks are about guilty pleasures this week:

1. The TV show/website that I watch/read that I would be embarrassed to tell anyone about is Glee.  It's true.  I feel embarrassed because of how silly the show is and how shallow the relationships are.  There's not a whole lot going on in the show that I really support, but I find it entertaining.

2. An item of clothing that is worn and torn but that I love far to much to throw away is my ratty old black Converses.  They were the first shoes I ever bought for myself.  $35 at Kohl's.  They were on sale.  I got a new pair last Christmas, but my old ones just feel better on my feet, and I wear them out even though they're so dirty and about to fall apart.

3. My grocery store impulse buy is bridal magazines.  I usually resist impulse buys (I've only bought two of these guys ever), but I can usually reason with myself about those fun, beautiful indulgences. 

4. Something I do at work to pass time that I wouldn't want my co-workers to know about is read blogs on the computers when no one's around and write out stories that have happened that day.

5. One thing in my life that I could give up, but never will is facebook.  It's the best way to keep in contact with so many people.  And if my computer ever died (again), I'd be able to see some of my pictures/memories still.

Image: White Noise Lite

6. A little indulgence that I have is the white noise app on my iPod.  I've used it every night on the chirping crickets setting since I installed it in November.  I'm so spoiled.  In the summer when there are real crickets outside, I leave my windows open so I can hear them, so I'm really just making up for the lack of lullabies.

7. The junk drawer/area in my house is my least favorite space in the house.  I'm always wanting to organize it, but Mom won't let me.  I guess she thinks I'd ruin it.  Maybe she's just saving me from futile exertion, though.

 

Fill in the Blank Friday - Guilty pleasures

I've sat myself on the couch and brought up the laptop and browsed the Interweb, but I have my shorts and t-shirt on and my tennis shoes.  Because I was going to go running.  Heck with this, it's 56 outside!  I'm gonna go running!  But first I'm going to swap my sneaks for my Chacos.  Brb...

Ok!  35 minutes later, I'm feeling much better.  I also have my laptop with me outside on the front porch.  I love this.

So Lauren's blanks are about guilty pleasures this week:

1. The TV show/website that I watch/read that I would be embarrassed to tell anyone about is Glee.  It's true.  I feel embarrassed because of how silly the show is and how shallow the relationships are.  There's not a whole lot going on in the show that I really support, but I find it entertaining.

2. An item of clothing that is worn and torn but that I love far to much to throw away is my ratty old black Converses.  They were the first shoes I ever bought for myself.  $35 at Kohl's.  They were on sale.  I got a new pair last Christmas, but my old ones just feel better on my feet, and I wear them out even though they're so dirty and about to fall apart.

3. My grocery store impulse buy is bridal magazines.  I usually resist impulse buys (I've only bought two of these guys ever), but I can usually reason with myself about those fun, beautiful indulgences. 

4. Something I do at work to pass time that I wouldn't want my co-workers to know about is read blogs on the computers when no one's around and write out stories that have happened that day.

5. One thing in my life that I could give up, but never will is facebook.  It's the best way to keep in contact with so many people.  And if my computer ever died (again), I'd be able to see some of my pictures/memories still.

Image: White Noise Lite

6. A little indulgence that I have is the white noise app on my iPod.  I've used it every night on the chirping crickets setting since I installed it in November.  I'm so spoiled.  In the summer when there are real crickets outside, I leave my windows open so I can hear them, so I'm really just making up for the lack of lullabies.

7. The junk drawer/area in my house is my least favorite space in the house.  I'm always wanting to organize it, but Mom won't let me.  I guess she thinks I'd ruin it.  Maybe she's just saving me from futile exertion, though.

 

The things that people say, Part I

I hung out with Mr. Gene again to work one fleshing out his stories.  He's already gotten them to two publishers, and one of them say Mr. Gene's got some good material, and things need to be a little fuller.  Mr. Gene's always happy to see me.  "I'm gonna hug you."  And I'm always happy to see him.  He gave me the seat at his desk, and I opened my laptop to get started, but he asked how I was first.  Oh, I'm good.  Not much going on today.  My boyfriend and I were going to try and hang out today, but that had to be moved to Friday...
"Is this the same guy you went on a date with before?"
I couldn't help grinning.  "Yeah..."

"It seems like you really trust him."

"Mr. Gene.  I do."

"Well that's good. You gotta pick 'em for his character, now.  And, you can put two perfect people together, and you’ll still have peaks and valleys.  And you’ll come to a place where the two people are adamant on something...  Now, that’s not going to turn him into a monster, it’s just something you have to work through...  It’s good to have a partner while you’re doing what you’re doing, finding your place in the world, you know... and vice versa  …Well, congratulations so far.  When you get to your 54^th year with him, we’ll talk again.  ...End of lecture 474, taken from the archives…"

That dear man!  He lost me a few times during his spiel, but his intentions were so clear.  I adore him, and I'm so blessed with how he cares about me and how he tells me to be good over the weekends.  I told Mr. Gene as I was leaving about how fun it is telling people how he and I met, but it always gets a little awkward when I get to the part where I got into a car with a strange, old Vietnam vet.  (Caleb says it's a good thing he didn't start having flashbacks in the car.)  Mr. Gene laughs at this and agrees that that was a completely stupid move, but I redirect the conversation and say that it was his cool beard that helped me think he would be ok.

"Well if that's what did it, then it's never coming off!" he said."

I hugged him and said, "Thanks for not being a creepy old man!"  He chuckled and sent me off with his usual wishes and demands for good behavior.

The things that people say, Part I

I hung out with Mr. Gene again to work one fleshing out his stories.  He's already gotten them to two publishers, and one of them say Mr. Gene's got some good material, and things need to be a little fuller.  Mr. Gene's always happy to see me.  "I'm gonna hug you."  And I'm always happy to see him.  He gave me the seat at his desk, and I opened my laptop to get started, but he asked how I was first.  Oh, I'm good.  Not much going on today.  My boyfriend and I were going to try and hang out today, but that had to be moved to Friday...
"Is this the same guy you went on a date with before?"
I couldn't help grinning.  "Yeah..."

"It seems like you really trust him."

"Mr. Gene.  I do."

"Well that's good. You gotta pick 'em for his character, now.  And, you can put two perfect people together, and you’ll still have peaks and valleys.  And you’ll come to a place where the two people are adamant on something...  Now, that’s not going to turn him into a monster, it’s just something you have to work through...  It’s good to have a partner while you’re doing what you’re doing, finding your place in the world, you know... and vice versa  …Well, congratulations so far.  When you get to your 54^th year with him, we’ll talk again.  ...End of lecture 474, taken from the archives…"

That dear man!  He lost me a few times during his spiel, but his intentions were so clear.  I adore him, and I'm so blessed with how he cares about me and how he tells me to be good over the weekends.  I told Mr. Gene as I was leaving about how fun it is telling people how he and I met, but it always gets a little awkward when I get to the part where I got into a car with a strange, old Vietnam vet.  (Caleb says it's a good thing he didn't start having flashbacks in the car.)  Mr. Gene laughs at this and agrees that that was a completely stupid move, but I redirect the conversation and say that it was his cool beard that helped me think he would be ok.

"Well if that's what did it, then it's never coming off!" he said."

I hugged him and said, "Thanks for not being a creepy old man!"  He chuckled and sent me off with his usual wishes and demands for good behavior.

101 in 1,001

My good friend Sarah Becker has inspired me.  I liked her idea of coming up with 101 things to do in 1,001 days.  What a challenge, what an adventure!  But I didn't like the idea of all that pressure.  What if I didn't complete the list within the allotted time?  What if I messed up?  After looking at a few others' lists and giving suggestions for Jenni's, I thought that it really was something I'd like to try.

It took me a very long time to come up with 101 things that I wanted to do and that I thought were doable.  I had to stretch to find the last 30, and the last 5 were really tricky, but, once I finally got to 101, I found one more thing I really wanted to add, and I couldn't bear to part with any of the others I'd worked so hard to find, so I have 102 goals.

I am beginning today, Wednesday February 9, 2011.  I will finish Tuesday, November 5, 2013 (I believe this estimate accounts for 2012's February 29th).  (And, it'd be just a little lame for me if the world decided to end before then).  I'm keeping a link to this list in that upper left corner of the blog, and I hope to keep updating it with my progress every couple weeks or so.  And so, ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, my 102 goals for 1,001 days:

You can keep up with my progress here.  I've also set a permanent link up in the top left corner of my blog page.

Music

1.    Practice piano for (at least) an hour a day for two weeks

2.    Practice violin for (at least) an hour a day for two weeks

3.    Take mandolin lessons

4.    Sing karaoke (for the first time)

5.    Develop better breath support

6.    Become more comfortable singing in front of people and perform 3 times (These performances don’t have to be a big deal.)

7.    Perform as a street musician and set out the case for change

8.    Teach violin (at least one lesson)

9.    Compose a piece on either instrument

10.  Notate Calliope Meets Frank (I've wanted to learn this one for so long!)

11.  Go to a music festival

Creativity

12.  Tie-dye some things

13.  Get a new coloring book and color every page

14.  Buy a piece of art and display it in my space

15.  Actually do/make three of the things I have pinned onto my “Creative ideas” Pinterest board

16.  Learn to make an origami crane

17.  Visit Artworks on the Square and check in with Celia Bob, if possible, 3 times

Korea

18.  Freakin' go to Korea!

19.  Learn Korean and get to a beginner’s level (as I’d taken Korean 102.)

20.  Get a houseplant in Korea and keep it alive for my whole time there.  It will be my pet.

21.  Make a video of things in Korea twice a month

22.  Decorate my space in Korea

23.  Secure a job for my return to the States

24.  Send packages/letters back to the States at least twice

25.  Whilst in Korea, give my Stateside dear ones some kind of contact at least once a week

Learning/Broadening

26.  Learn to drive stick shift

27.  Learn to do a cartwheel (I still don’t know how)

28.  Learn to cut my own hair

29.  Also cut someone else’s hair

30.  Learn to crochet and crochet a scarf

31.  Learn to tie a tie

32.  Become familiar with the Lindy hop at some intermediate level.

33.  Enter a contest

34.  Get a tattoo (at least a henna one)

35.  Try snowboarding

36.  Pick up archery again

Outdoors

37.  Take at least 5 walks in the woods (2/5)

38.  Learn to identify 10 new constellations

39.  Go star gazing

40.  Go camping

41.  Plant a tree

42.  Watch a sunset

Self/Mind

43.  Finish reading the well-known works of C.S. Lewis

44.  Read East of Eden (finally)

45.  Set aside at least one fortnight a year where I have a holiday from The Internet

46.  Write at least one sentence in my journal every day possible for the 1,001 days

47.  Blog about one thing I like each day for two weeks

48.  Read through the Bible in a year

49.  Spend 20 minutes in prayer each day for two weeks twice (Hopefully this will be a jumpstart.)

50.  Send a secret to PostSecret

51.  Move out after Korea

52.  Get a professional massage

53.  Give a massage

54.  Go to a movie by myself

Just because

55.  Write a detailed zombie apocalypse plan

56.  Participate in a snowball fight with strangers

57.  Get much better at Kongi (Korean jacks) and be able to make it through all five levels perfectly

58.  Make a wish on 11/11/2011 at 11:11 (I guess in Korean time) pretty much just so I can tell my kids I did

59.  Take a set of photo booth pictures

60.  Buy an antique and learn its story, if possible

61.  Acquire an awesome-looking world map

62.  Acquire an SLR camera and learn how to use it well

63.  Acquire a bicycle

Minimize

64.  Pay off at least 50% of my student loans (I'll have a better estimate of what's doable once I figure my Korean salary.  Therefore, this goal is subject to change, but would only be changed once.)

65.  Purge my closet and dresser of clothes I don't wear anymore twice

66.  Purge my CDs and jewelry

67.  Clean out the family toy cubbies and the cabinets under the plant counter

68.  Do not buy tangible fun things (clothes, music, etc.) for myself for a whole month and a half.

69.  Scan at least 100 documents from my elementary years for safer keeping

70.  Blog about 30 of them

Go

71.  Go to a zoo

72.  Go to an art museum

73.  Go to the Dekalb Farmer’s Market again (It's always a blast.)

74.  Go to IKEA with Mom

75.  Build a sand castle on a new beach

76.  Take a random roadtrip to a place at least two states away with less than two days to plan

77.  Attend a reunion

Health

78.  Drink 64oz. of water a day for six weeks

79.  Do some sort of exercise for at least 20 minutes, every day, for two months.

80.  Lose 10 lbs

81.  Get to 50 push ups in one take, and get it easy

82.  Drink a cup of green tea each day for a month

Fashion

83.  Buy a tube of lipstick – wear it out.  (This'll be a first.)

84.  Try and practice winged eyeliner and wear it out  (Also a first.)

85.  Make a dress for myself

86.  Wear a dress/skirt 3 times a month

87.  Get on Lookbook.nu and post 3 outfits

88.  Dress up for a date – dress and heels required

89.  Try feather hair extensions

Food

90.  Bake a pie from scratch

91.  Order crème brulee at a nice restaurant

92.  Cook dinner for my family 5 times

93.  Come to appreciate spicy food  (I am so scared of this one.)

Relationships

94.  Whilst in the States: send a card/letter to someone twice a month (One month completed)

95.  “Pay it forward” 5 times

96.  Sign up for postcrossing and send 5 postcards (3/5)

97.  Visit with Anna Johnson, my roommate from Summit 2006 who I haven’t seen since

98.  Visit my dad’s family in Pennsylvania

99.  Visit my mom’s family in North Carolina

100.  Visit Millie and Andrew once they’re married at their new home

101.  Take a walk with a family member six times in one month

102.  Do Zumba regularly with my sister for at least a month

Thanks to Becker, Jenni, Millie, Caleb, Taylor, Mom, Felicia, and all the other bloggers who supplied inspiration.  I'm excited about this.