"All done." I sigh. I skim January and February. The poor pages of my planner are lavished with ink. Yesterday the pages were white like December snow. Now they look as if a coal furnace was installed somewhere in the planner. Black grimy smudges on sad lingering snow.
I glance at the upcoming months. The lightness of the pencil marks encourages me after the insistent heaviness of ink scrawlings. March and April are too crowded. I pause on the May pages. Clean stainless pages, like the cumulus clouds I hope to see on Memorial Day. Just thin black lines to represent peaceful nights of sleep, between beautifully empty square days. And then I have the urge to lift the pages to my nose, for they must smell of spring.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Lucky Seven
There I sat. Watching the heartbreak all around me. A forlorn college kid watches as his friend callously texts. A girl stands in line, nervously turning her dead cell-phone over in her hands. A man leans on the wall staring unseeingly at the floor.
The Verizon store. Again. Duecey had gone the way of all cell phones. Why do my cell-phones meet with such horrible fates? Memories flood my mind as I wait in line.
Phone 1: The Peanut Phone -- My first cell-phone. He was quite hardy. Made it through high school with me. He finally died after 2 years. I wish they still made that model, it was like the Pack Mule of cell-phones. Appeared 4 times in my high school year book. My favorite phone.
Phone 2: Untitled -- Long-lived (1 and a half year). Left behind and dropped often. Finally fell in a puddle and vibrated randomly and continually as if possessed. I couldn't bear to see Untitled in misery, and so he is now at peace.
Phone 3: Untitled 2 -- Made it about a year. Crumby flip-phone that's hinge thingy broke. Was not very close to this phone.
Phone 4: Untitled 3 -- Rather adventurous. Lost or stolen at Winter Jam.
Phone 5: Evan Rood -- Sounded like a mosquito when he vibrated. Harshly mistreated. Had a penguin on his battery. Highly hepful during the power outage. Drown in lemonade. Much mourned.
Phone 6: Duecey -- Pretty hardy, although mocked for her ancient appearance (she had an antenae). She fell in tea and survived. She committed suicide on Saturday afternoon, jumping out of my pocket.
As I sat waiting, I wished I was eloquent enough to compose a lament to their memory.
"Can I help you?" One of the grief counselors stood in front of me. He had a bluetooth and a blackberry "How insensitive!" I thought. But he also had on shoes that turned up at the toe, so I forgave him because he was clearly an elf. And I'm a big fan.
I explained the situation to the Elf. He was very helpful.
And that brings me to
Phone 7: Dottie. I don't know her very well yet. But I'm sure the others would be happy to know I found her as she's very unassuming and doesn't try to replace the memory of the others. I'm very thankful for her.
So I walked out of the Verizon store, much relieved, with a sparkle in my eye and a text-message on my heart.
The Verizon store. Again. Duecey had gone the way of all cell phones. Why do my cell-phones meet with such horrible fates? Memories flood my mind as I wait in line.
Phone 1: The Peanut Phone -- My first cell-phone. He was quite hardy. Made it through high school with me. He finally died after 2 years. I wish they still made that model, it was like the Pack Mule of cell-phones. Appeared 4 times in my high school year book. My favorite phone.
Phone 2: Untitled -- Long-lived (1 and a half year). Left behind and dropped often. Finally fell in a puddle and vibrated randomly and continually as if possessed. I couldn't bear to see Untitled in misery, and so he is now at peace.
Phone 3: Untitled 2 -- Made it about a year. Crumby flip-phone that's hinge thingy broke. Was not very close to this phone.
Phone 4: Untitled 3 -- Rather adventurous. Lost or stolen at Winter Jam.
Phone 5: Evan Rood -- Sounded like a mosquito when he vibrated. Harshly mistreated. Had a penguin on his battery. Highly hepful during the power outage. Drown in lemonade. Much mourned.
Phone 6: Duecey -- Pretty hardy, although mocked for her ancient appearance (she had an antenae). She fell in tea and survived. She committed suicide on Saturday afternoon, jumping out of my pocket.
As I sat waiting, I wished I was eloquent enough to compose a lament to their memory.
"Can I help you?" One of the grief counselors stood in front of me. He had a bluetooth and a blackberry "How insensitive!" I thought. But he also had on shoes that turned up at the toe, so I forgave him because he was clearly an elf. And I'm a big fan.
I explained the situation to the Elf. He was very helpful.
And that brings me to
Phone 7: Dottie. I don't know her very well yet. But I'm sure the others would be happy to know I found her as she's very unassuming and doesn't try to replace the memory of the others. I'm very thankful for her.
So I walked out of the Verizon store, much relieved, with a sparkle in my eye and a text-message on my heart.
Monday, January 12, 2009
That Different Drum: A Tribute To Crazy Friends
My blog friends are a little.... well, odd. I'd say they march to the beat of a different drum, but really, my friends aren't the marching type, they would not be so typical.
Jaleesa would perform a new kind of dance to the beat of the Different Drum; an aesthetically interesting cross-breed of tap and ghetto dancing.
Sam would obviously head-bang to the beat.
Ryan would sit cross-legged, swaying and smoking his peace pipe, peacefully enjoying the craziness.
Shane would start by raising his eyebrows to the beat, but gradually he would find himself singing in a perfectly atrocious (but amusing) German accent.
Leanna would march to the beat of the Different Drum... but she'd also be twirling batons.
Dwayne would tap his foot and whistle HMS Pinafore songs.
Tiffany would begin by making sarcastic comments about everyone's behavior as they listen to the Different Drum, but she wouldn't be able to resist the beat, and she would end up rapping.
Isaac would, of course, beatbox along.
Danielle would perform a traditional Hawaiian tribal dance - that she made up.
Alanna would be cutely apparelled, doing the dance of her choice, pausing occasionally to take pictures.
Jaleesa would perform a new kind of dance to the beat of the Different Drum; an aesthetically interesting cross-breed of tap and ghetto dancing.
Sam would obviously head-bang to the beat.
Ryan would sit cross-legged, swaying and smoking his peace pipe, peacefully enjoying the craziness.
Shane would start by raising his eyebrows to the beat, but gradually he would find himself singing in a perfectly atrocious (but amusing) German accent.
Leanna would march to the beat of the Different Drum... but she'd also be twirling batons.
Dwayne would tap his foot and whistle HMS Pinafore songs.
Tiffany would begin by making sarcastic comments about everyone's behavior as they listen to the Different Drum, but she wouldn't be able to resist the beat, and she would end up rapping.
Isaac would, of course, beatbox along.
Danielle would perform a traditional Hawaiian tribal dance - that she made up.
Alanna would be cutely apparelled, doing the dance of her choice, pausing occasionally to take pictures.
Megan would dance a stately ball-room dance and help Alanna take pictures.
Seth would sit waving his hand to the beat, as if directing, and politely not mention that the triangle player is seriously mediocre.
Heather would take over for seriously mediocre triangle player, blinding him with her dazzling smile, and then swiping the instrument.
Tell me, do you disagree?
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Want Ads:
Wanted:
A new novel. Fascinating. Thought-provoking. Critically acclaimed. Amusing. Also accepting book reccomendations and any spare time one might have laying around.
Wanted:
A Hug. Preferrably blue. Any size. Because the world can always do with a little more love. Ask the Beatles.
Wanted:
A puppy. To share a cup of tea with me. (If only I could have a puppy, I would think myself so very lucky. It's a song. Look it up, because it's wonderful.)
Wanted:
A term to describe the way one's face is all red and warm on one side after an extended phone conversation. Really. There should be a term for that.
Wanted:
Not another thing on earth. 'Cause I'm blessed. Thanks for the all lemonade.
A new novel. Fascinating. Thought-provoking. Critically acclaimed. Amusing. Also accepting book reccomendations and any spare time one might have laying around.
Wanted:
A Hug. Preferrably blue. Any size. Because the world can always do with a little more love. Ask the Beatles.
Wanted:
A puppy. To share a cup of tea with me. (If only I could have a puppy, I would think myself so very lucky. It's a song. Look it up, because it's wonderful.)
Wanted:
A term to describe the way one's face is all red and warm on one side after an extended phone conversation. Really. There should be a term for that.
Wanted:
Not another thing on earth. 'Cause I'm blessed. Thanks for the all lemonade.
Friday, January 9, 2009
To the Mature and Responsible: Disregard this post
Wait... Why am I changing my black ink cartridge at quarter to 5 in the morning?
That's right.
Much as I (along with Cryin' Bryan Dern) would like to have about an hour of silence... for... Binky.
I've got a show to do.
Portfolio Review.
But good news, I got a coffee maker for Christmas.
(And I certainly hope no one mature and responsible disregarded my warning to disregard this post. You know who you are... You pronounce mature without the 'ch' sound, and had your portfolio done when you were half-way through 3rd grade. Why are you still reading this???)
That's right.
Much as I (along with Cryin' Bryan Dern) would like to have about an hour of silence... for... Binky.
I've got a show to do.
Portfolio Review.
But good news, I got a coffee maker for Christmas.
(And I certainly hope no one mature and responsible disregarded my warning to disregard this post. You know who you are... You pronounce mature without the 'ch' sound, and had your portfolio done when you were half-way through 3rd grade. Why are you still reading this???)
Monday, January 5, 2009
What's Up?
People keep asking. I'm referring them here, to my blog.
I just read Til We Have Faces (brilliant).
Now I'm reading The Day Christ Died (an old favorite).
Christmas was wonderful. Peace and goodwill and all that.
I got this totally dope new journal.
And I finally got a winter coat. Plaid. On sale. Yes, I love my therapy. *Clap clap*
God is teaching me to wait on Him and depend completely on Him.
I'm getting over being sick. I'm almost well.
Student teaching begins Jan 12th.
*Pause -- Mel gasps for breath*
My current favorite songs are Sticking with You, Yellow Submarine, and Come On-A My House. Subject to change at any given moment, whim or impulse.
I'm so excited to be jogging again. Greasy, if you cop out, you owe me big time!
My passage for this semester (who knows? Maybe the rest of my life):
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7 NASB
Are you happy, Ryan?
I just read Til We Have Faces (brilliant).
Now I'm reading The Day Christ Died (an old favorite).
Christmas was wonderful. Peace and goodwill and all that.
I got this totally dope new journal.
And I finally got a winter coat. Plaid. On sale. Yes, I love my therapy. *Clap clap*
God is teaching me to wait on Him and depend completely on Him.
I'm getting over being sick. I'm almost well.
Student teaching begins Jan 12th.
*Pause -- Mel gasps for breath*
My current favorite songs are Sticking with You, Yellow Submarine, and Come On-A My House. Subject to change at any given moment, whim or impulse.
I'm so excited to be jogging again. Greasy, if you cop out, you owe me big time!
My passage for this semester (who knows? Maybe the rest of my life):
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7 NASB
Are you happy, Ryan?
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