I went IKEA with my mum this morning. Now I have to go to the bank (and believe it or not, the 2 are unrelated).
I'll bust out the IKEA list later...I'll just tell you...my pillows are called Gosa Blinka.

YEAH!

Ok, Ok, OK...I over did it.
For a bass without strings is almost completely useless...but Jo without her CD Wallet...she is far from useless. She is still the amazing JO!

I had something to post...*shooot*...but now I can't remember what it was...

@ Sound of Music practice tonight, I was ready to shoot somebody, or myself, in the foot...twice.
The nuns...several are "self-proclaimed experts"...we've got buddy music director who ROCKS, by the way. He's so kind, so musical...wow. Anyway, the nuns won't shut up while he's working.
"I think someone was flat in [such and such] bar.."
or when one of my alto girls, who has a beautiful voice, getting criticized by the snooty nuns, but NOT the musical director...
AHHH!!!
NUNS!!!
SHut up, and mind your own stinkin' business!

GAH.
"get thee to a nunnery..."...oh wait...I'm already there...

"get thee to a whorehouse?.."...

?

That was for jPo, and the profound, profound loss she experienced today. We shall be taking up collections for her in the near future.
For a Jo without her CD Wallet...is like...a bass without strings.

*moment of silence*


*shhh!*


*no, it's not over yet*


*silence*

That quotation from High Fidelity about pop music...and are we depressed before or after we listen to it...I never really caught the full meaning of it until now...
Dashboard Confessional -- anthems for the brokenhearted.

Ok, ok, I'm not brokenhearted.
But I am slightly wounded.

I liked this boy...heck, I liked him a lot. But I can't help but wonder...would he have stayed in my mind as much as he did, had I NOT listened to D/C?

Regrets, regrets, regrets.

hang in there, tiger. You'll make it.

And yet sometimes, I'm not so sure.

waiting here with hopes the phone will ring
and I'm thinking awful things
pretty sure that few would notice
and this apartment is starving for an argument
anything at all to break the silence...

wandering this house like I never wanted out,
and this is about as social as I get now.
and I am throwing way the letters I am writing you.
They would never do...I would never do.

~dashboard confessional.

Today I raked leaves. All the leaves in my front yard (aside from a few obstinate strays) into one big, huge pile.

Tempting?

I think so.

so many stories...to be posted when I am not mostly-sleeping...
a quick list...
1) driving to seattle with nicole. the fun times could be summed up right there...but THEN...
2) yelling and screaming out the windows on the freeway to the blaring music of Dashboard Confessional.
3) yelling and screaming and shaking fists out the windows @ dirty young man (he, having just exited an erotic "wack-off" bar...ewww...decidedly dirty).
4) Finding Northgate Theatre and the MUTHA of all line-ups (aside from Coldplay...and Jesus).
5) the mall...james dean...victoria's secret...BATHROOMS! *score!*
6) the line-up. we were @ the back...and then people lined up behind us. *heh, heh, heh*
7) getting in...and finding ourselves FRONT STINKIN' ROW!!! YEEEah...score one for chillaxin'.
8) the show. Christopher Carabba (sp?), Mike on drums...buddy on bass, and *drools* Jo[h]nny on guitar...oh wow. SOooo hot...and music soooo good. Oh man.
9) pins and stickers.
10) making it home alive.

goodnite.

i dare you to comment...

Yesterday...
- Theo played football @ McNair field. Ben and I went to say hi. Theo's team didn't win...but that's ok. Theo is swedish.
- I called Melissa Sue in Minnesota. I can't even describe...mmm. Wow.
- I had my first "The Sound of Music" (SOM) rehearsal from 2-6pm. Wow. Alto* is really, really low. But I loved it.
- I talked to robbie t. (or whatever he likes to be called) for a fair bit of time online. He's apparently going to be leaving us for England next week...for who knows how long. *sighs* I will miss him.
- I went to bed late, but it was ok.

*note: alto is usually a part sung by women whose voices are especially brilliant from...the E (or lower?) below middle C to...the A or B above it (I think...I don't really know...). Anyway, I...am NOT an alto. I can get to the low G, but the E...ugh. My voice craps out on me and it hurts! My range (my full range, on a good day, when I am free and clear and I can sing like the dickens) is the low G to high C (now that is on a stinkin' good day. On most days, it's the low G to..high A, maybe B, but more likely G). So that's...2 octaves more or less. Not too shabby.
But I am not an alto. So I was sight reading, and it was hard for a few reasons. In no particular order...
1) the singing was in latin. I don't speak latin.
2) alto. *ugh*. so low.
3) I was sight-reading. Which I can do very well, but...I don't normally sight read (or even sing) the notes the altos sing. So...I'm not sure how they sound, or how they feel to sing. It was a strange experience.

Anyway, I'm still SO excited about being a nun...I'm a real nun too, not a novice or a postulent...nope, real nun! Oh my goodness...this is going to be so much fun.
Do come, darling. I promise you'll love it.

Today, when Kat was over...she totally talked to my mum forever. That rocked. It made me smile. And the warmth in my heart for Katrina spread...and I...was aglow with love for that girl. Mmhmmmhmmmm....
Kat is on my list of people whose company can only be described as, "Most Excellent".
It's a good list.

Britta has style like no other.

I should like to attempt to post a heart-felt, honest blog without offending any of my readers. Fat chance. Fat Tuesday. Mmm...Mardi Gras...
I digress.
As you, my faithful blog reader, know, tonight I was with 1) Jessica, 2) Mikael and 3) Britta (and my family too).
On Tuesday @ the imr/the pale/stabilo boss @ twu show, I went for a short walk with Jessica. We talked about...*ugh* the person I so often talk of these days. The one who, without my consent, has managed to destroy small parts of me. Perhaps he hasn't done anything. *ugh*. Enough about him. *Trying to get to the point where I'm so over it, I'm under it*. Anyway, she told me that she and Mikael had been talking, and decided that I deserve better than him. This...*sighs* warmed my heart, for various odd reasons. Mmm...and then TONIGHT, Mikael brought it up again when I was talking about someone else. She said, "Jessica and I were talking, and we decided you deserve better friends." And I said (sarcastically), "You mean friends who don't say, 'You love God too much. You're too intense. I can't hang out with you.'?".
And Mikael...OH man! This was cool...she slams her fist down on the table and goes, "who--- he--- who---- he said that? Where is he? I'm gonna go kick his ass!"
Ha...oh, it was a funny moment which quickly went serious (briefly) and I...I was laughing, and also smiling (way down deep), and I wanted to cry.
WHY do I putter around with these...*ugh*...people who separate me for who I am, who make me feel ashamed of the great LOVE, JOY, PEACE God has given me...why!?? When I have friends who rejoice with me, who love me! Who think where I'm "at" is awesome, and...
Oh goodness! Praise the Lord for His faithfulness!!!! For friends who will kick asses for me! *teehee*.
I am overwhelmed with emotion. There's this story Mikael tells about...well, a boy who kinda was interested in her (and really, what boy wouldn't be?!). And her friends told him, "No, you can't have Mikael. You'd have to convert [to christianity] and you'd have to marry her. You can't have her."
I, upon hearing that story, have always wished I had friends like that.
And apparently, I do.
*sighs*
and I think to myself...what a wonderful world.

I know souper is supposed to be super.
Normalacy (sp?). I shunneth thee *shun*

OK...
Tim Horton's...
tonight, it was a gathering place for the prematurely costumed...ie, it's not Halloween, but they had get-ups on! (Including Mikael and Britta who'd just been at the..."Parade for Lost Souls", so they looked souper fun!").
Anyway, Britta said, "Hey, you never told me Tim Horton's was a ghoul place!".
HA ha hHaaa Ah Ha hA!en
a "ghoul" place...like "cool" place...(which it was...soo cold!)
HAha...Britta is funny.

HI!!!
Jessica and Mikael and Britta are here, reading back issues of Rolling Stone in my room.
It's fun stuff.
So, @ my gig tonight...I had fun. There was me...and I played...then my friend Kavitha and her sister did some sweet Indian dancing (they're from Sri Lanka), then these REALLY AMAZING African guys did some drumming/dancing...then some other people played clarinet, flute, piano and stuff...
I sold 2 (!!!) CD's...to social activists no less!
And I donated money to Amnesty International.
And Jessica came.
Mikael and Britta went to a parade, where our friend Sarah was supposed to be "spitting" fire, but apparently she just "spins" it....which is also cool.
Ok...that's all. *peace*

P.S. I hung out with Nicole last night...and we listened to Godspeed You Black Emperor....and all I have to say is...
*wow*

apparently, Jen Lush is Jenn Lush. (note: the 2nd 'n'). yeah...happy 20th birthday!
She had part of her party @ Subeez...this trendy cafe/restaurant thing on Homer and Smithe. Totally groovin', though financially, a little above my limit. Well, not really. Just that I only had $10 on me...
So I ordered the "Chicken and Brie", because hey...I love chicken...and brie....! And it came with fries AND salad!!
Ordered around 8:15pm...around 9pm I asked "buddy" (apparently named Christopher) if it was coming...around 9:30pm he comes and says, "This is free...cuz I forgot to order it for you.."
SCORE!!!!

Oh yes, and also @ Subeez they have "Kriek Cherry Lambac" for $7.95...that's the beer Mike-from-work always wanted me to try. I think he may have even told me that it was available @ Subeez. Yeah...he said that even though I don't like beer, I'll like this. Black Cherry flavoured...?
I'm tempted to call him up (though I don't have his number...) and ask if he wants to go for a drink...does he remember me?
Hmmm....
ok, I'm outtie. I get to work tomorrow....well, today...@ Osler...yay!
My knee hurts right now. A lot. I'm going to ice it whilst I sleep.
*peace*

good morning!
and happy birthday Jen Lush!
see you tonight!
*peace*

These 2 letters are taken from THEMAIL in Maclean's Magazine, which I have been reading of late, in an effort to become more educated as to the goings on in this fine country/world/etc..or ours.

Letter #1, from the sept.30, 2002 issue.
Bare-bones education
I have finally figured out the Ontario government's game plan for education ["Quick, hide the pencils," The week, Sept.9]. If they keep cutting the budget, reducing teaching staff, etc., they will eventually graduate classes of ignoramuses who don't even know what a government is, never mind how one works. Then the government will rule forever because no one will be educated enough to replace it. Until the coup.

my comments: ha! brilliant, no!? And yet so sad because it's true...

Letter #2, from the October 7, 2002 issue.
(no title)
I was 23 when I married in 1958, and by the time I was 27 I had three babies. I hated every minute away from my babies and after a few years decided to stay home, with the result that we did without many items couples now deem essential. In many instances financial necessities force both parents to work nowadays. But the argument that it's more difficult to manage on one salary is nonsense. It wasn't easier; our priorities were different. My proudest accomplishment is that all my married children have one parent staying home to rear their school-age offspring during these very important years, despite the financial constraints. In my book, that's success.

my comments: *wiping away a tear* wow. My mum stayed @ home too...and it honestly breaks my heart to know that there are children who will never come home after school to be greated by their parents. It really begs the questions, what are our priorities? We live in such a backward society...we wonder about behavioural problems and violence and all this crap...and yet we practically scorn the stay at home mother, because she's backward in her thinking.
the end.

my postings aren't getting to the page! what's going on!?

hey check the other blog for gig postings.

*ie. there is a gig posted*

HEY....
Youth With A Mission Vancouver Presents....
onehudredhours (survivor records uk)
Halloween Night
7pm, October 31, 2002
2859 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
*snacks* *free*

some modest mouse...

well I'm sure you tell me you got nothing to say but our
voices shook hands the other day. If you can't see the thin
Air what the hell is in the way.
- Dark Center of the Universe

The 3rd Planet is sure that they're being watched by an
eye in the sky that can't be stopped.
When you get to the promise land your gonna shake that
eyes hand.
- 3rd Planet

I can't help but wonder what's going between the songwriter and God...certainly too many references to say that God doesn't matter to him. I am so intrigued.

it's cool when....
1) other people use the same inside jokes as you. but you don't know them. ie. someone's blog is "just a lie you've got to rise above", which is a john mayer lyric...just like mine....(ok, maybe not a joke, but you know what I mean?)
2) you wake up to someone hugging you, and then you realize that even though you've slept perhaps too long, it's been a good, deep sleep, and you aren't tired anymore.
3) people from your dts appear in your dreams....in which they are in your city, and you say hi, and it's so good...but then you get woken up (see no.2), which kind of sucks, but at the same time, it's alright.

today's list of...mmmmuffiny goodness equality.
1) passed first aid course.
2) short nap.
3) love my family.
4) imr/thepale/stabiloboss @ twu...packed out show. imr wowed the crowd.
5) short stack and marcy.
6) jessica and mikael. wow.
7) jBo, rachael, brent, lorea. erina, noodle, ted. the list goes on....jo, rebecca, julie, kat...
8) phone call from kat. mm...yay.
9) not driving to twu because of...
10) matt kerr.
11) fog. and not driving in it (refer to 9 and 10).
12) post imr chillin' (brr...outside) and @ Denny's...
yeah. ok. the list is super long. let's just say it was a good day. ah...

Abraham: "Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?"
Sampson: "I do bite my thumb, sir."
Abraham: "Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?"
Sampson [aside to Gregory]: "Is the law of our side, if I say ay?"
Gregory [aside to Sampson]: "No."
Sampson: "No, sir, I do not bite my thumb at you, sir; but I bite my thumb, sir."
Gregory: "Do you quarrel, sir?"

If conversations with a friend...or not friend...*ugh*...of mine could be summed up by Shakespeare, this would be it. Pretentious, too careful, false, strained politeness...tensions seething out of control...
"I do not bite my thumb at you, sir"....or do I?

things about today.
1) led worship @ church. yeah.
2) was so tired...but had to study for first aid.
3) made amends with jo...
4) realized a boy I've admired for years isn't as cool or admirable as I thought. Kind of mean and chump-like. Apparently he's human too. hmmm. weird.
5) the Rock Garden...wow. I didn't walk away soothed or happy or even super super joyful...just...God is doing something. *fist pump* YES!
6) Rebecca Watts is...I'm really glad to be friends with her. Also Jen and Laura Lush. And Matt *whoosh, whoosh, whoosh* I know...where'd that come from?
7) I'm in the Sound of Music...Gateway's Christmas play.
8) read number 7 again.
9) and again.
10) again...one more time. ISN'T THAT SWEEET!!!!?!?!?!?!? I can't describe how stoked I am.
11) alarm goes off in less than 5 hours. g'nite

oh and jesse bowen...try not to kill us.

I feel I must mention that theo's birthday party last night [happy 18th birthday theo!] was one of few big party experiences I can look back upon with fond memory.
Oftentimes at big parties, I feel very much lost in the crowd. I'll be sitting with a group of people having some obscure discussion, and I'll realize, after sitting there for an hour, that I haven't said a word. And hence, have wasted my time, since my not speaking doesn't indicate a lack of things to say, rather a lack of confidence or opportunity to say them.
Ah...thank you for a wonderful night, Theo and family.

I think I shall make an effort to hang out @ Theo's house more often.

October 9, 2002

Predictability
It is a truth universally acknowledged that predictive qualities exist within human beings. Little Johnny learned to read at age three, and is now at the top of his class in Kindergaten? Chances are, that kid is going to be intelligent and successful. Little Davey wants an earring, and -- although he's only in the first grade -- is constantly fighting with the boys in his class? Chances are, that kid is going to have some problems with the law. Sure, it's simplistic; but then again, humans are simplistic animals.
Ah, but aside from personality traits, there other predictive elements of one's persona as well: specifically, the way one chooses to present oneself to the public -- i.e., choice of dress. Not-so-little Caitlin enjoys wearing short skirts and halter-tops on Friday nights? Chances are, that girl's going to be a whore. Little Ronnie likes to wear sand-blasted jeans with the bottoms flared out? Chances are, that boy is going to be gay.

But what is the best superficial predictor of a more complex truth, you ask? Well, that would be the existence of chunky shoes.

That's right, ladies and gentlemen, if there is one predictive element that stands out above all others, it's the the astonishing power of the chunky shoe. Find me a girl with sandals the size of bricks, and I'll find you a girl with an IQ in the high-80s. Tops.

Need evidence? Want evidence? Gotta have some evidence? Consider this exchange that I had with a girl named Annalisa -- wearer of chunky shoes -- during my Oral Communication class this morning:


Annalisa: Yeah, I'm all for abortion, but I oppose [RU-486].
Me: Why's that?
Annalisa: Because of the effects it can have on a woman's health.
Me: I don't understand; you're "all for" abortion, yet you're opposed to RU-486? Doesn't getting an abortion have effects on a woman's health as well?
Annalisa: No, I meant mentally.
Me: You don't think getting an abortion affects you mentally, but RU-486 does?
Annalisa: Well, yeah...but...
Me: Well, if that's the case, then why do you support the legalization of abortion?
Annalisa: Because I believe in a woman's right to choose.
Me: Huh?
Annalisa: I said, because I believe in a woman's right to choose.
Me: (Palm hits forehead) Ugghhh.

Granted, this is not to say that I'm opposed to either a woman's right to an abortion or the so-called "day after pill," RU-486; rather, what I am opposed to is the ignorance of this girl's response.
But then again, given the size of her shoes, I probably should have expected it.

POSTED BY RYAN | 11:50 AM

I believe I mentioned this guy's blog the other day. this is an excerpt. one I found rather amusing.

ah...what a day this has been.
remember how on Thursday I woke up late for work? yeah, I did that again today. With 9 mins until arrival time...not 14.
ugh.

REMEMBER...to look @ this warm n' fuzzy blanket of acoustic love annoucements...
ie keep yerself updated on gigs I might be playing...





chump.

so I saw pedro the lion tonight...thoughts on that to follow on a later blog. I had some good stuff to jot down on here, but I've in the last 1/2 hour been hit with a rather blinding headache, so I'm going to head to bed before I actually go blind...

events of tonight...
1) pedro the lion
2) met steve from backflip (who apparently tried to date julie, and now flowers wants to kill him), and gave him a copy of my album to listen to with bryan...one of 'em will email me...it's all good, right? (hey...my first "in-the-hands-of-media" artistic experience...yeea-yeeah).
3) stopped by anvilfest and saw....Justin, Leigh, *scream and hug* Nicole, Marcy, Andwer...Andrew, and many more I'm sure. O, James, Katrina. And then all the Richmond/ECC crew...you know how it is.
4) went with said anvilfest/Richmond/ECC crew to Boston-Pizza-on-Broadway-EAST-of-Granville.
5) sat @ table with Gary, Jeff, Brett, Kristin...doesn't get much better than that.
6) went to go pee and got my seated ROYALLY FRICKIN' jacked. Gee, it's great to have friends who save your seat for you....never going with them to a general seating concert, that's fo shizzo *read previous sentence, dripping with sarcasm. DRIPPING...*
7) ended up sitting/talking iwith Roger, Tim, Brett, and Gus (who I enjoy very much. he's so polite, and often takes the conversation initiative. I feel bad b/c I think I cut him off a few times cuz he's not so loud...mmmm....), and we had a pretty decent conversation. I gotta remember to put in a good word for Brett re: SOM @ my voice lesson tomorrow AM.
8) drove home with Jesse and Kristin...too many things to mention in a public forum. teehee...
9) didn't find Flowers @ 7-eleven...just "po".
10) bladder almost burst on the way home, but I made it. *phew* As soon as I walked in the door, I felt dead stinkin' tired...so now I'm going to bed.
Hey mikael...I'll call you tomorrow about the greek food, tho I maybe should stay home and read my first aid book/course stuff.

OH WAIT!!! COOLEST THING EVER>>>>> I came home and there was a present on my bed...my dad bought me 4!!!!!!! packages of TimTams!!! Do you...have any idea how much that means to me? That would've been like one of ya'll sending me maple syrup while I was in Aus....a little piece of my homeland. I think I'll bring back the Thursday night Tim-Tam slams....although, I may cry when I think of my beloved Harold Street Girls...
I'm so happy...to be so loved....by people who don't ROYALLY JACK MY SEAT when I get up to pee @ restaurants!

hey hey hey...I just won a prize!!!
a $500 loaded credit card?! no.
a telus phone package!!!?!?! no.
$50 Roots certificate!? no.
anything else listed on the possible prizes list?! no.
except...."plus lots more".

Free shipping from chapters/indigo.
So...if I buy a book...they'll send it to me for free.
*yahooo*?

to do list...and stuff that's done...
- pick worship songs and email 'em to dad (DONE!)
- read Hebrews (to do)
- study 1st aid book (to do)
- laundry (processing)
- chillax (ha...overdone) *
- get off blogger and get the rest of my work done...(*blushes*)

* if you're wondering where Chillax/chillaxin' came from...my beautiful friend Erin was up @ keats this summer, and during sr.co-ed her job was listed as "chillaxin". Chillin' (out, maxin') and relaxin' (all cool)...you know how it is.
word.
peace out.
posse...

poser...

ben is upstairs listening to my pedro tape.
i'm seeing pedro the lion @ richard's on richards tomorrow.
gosh...my life rules.

5:46am--I hear the radio playing, and decide to sleep 'til 6am.
6:46am--radio stops playing, I jolt awake, and shout, "shut up!! SHUT UP!!", in my head. I have to be @ work by 7am.
6:47am-7am--put on jeans that were on the floor. Get other clothes on too. RUN upstairs. Quickly go through daily ablutions...smell ok, look awake-ish. Run out the door, with bag and keys and sweatshirt. Wearing flip flops, and head scarf.
7am-7:06am--drive to Menoah or Manoah or whatever it is. Fog thick like pea soup until about 3 Rd. Then it thinned out like...our education budget.
7:07am-7:09am--get lost trying to find the school. Well, not "lost" per se, I just forgot to turn Left...teehee...
7:10am-7:13am--arrive, park, go to front door...LOCKED!! Argh, be frustrated, walk around the school...find the open door, rushinside, and find the room...to be so chillaxin' I almost fainted.
7:13am-9am--chill with the kiddies.
9am-1:16pm--drive home, walk inside...ugh. Check email fast, go nap on Joanna's bed with John Mayer. Wake up to post-man. Sign for packages, put mail on stairs, package on kitchen counter. Talk with mum and dad. Wander around aimlessly. Check email again. Choose a snappy outfit, shower, get dressed. Chillaxin'...msn with the mates, check email, email heidi r...

right now--I wonder if my faithful blog readers are concerned for me, due to the fact that they now know without a doubt that I do absolutely nothing during the day.
after I sign out--pick worship songs for sunday, eat lunch, read some of Hebrews, study for First Aid course, shop with mum, go to Bach choir, Bible study, chill with James, home.
*sighs*

good-day ya'll. Good-day.

Look at what's happened to me!
I can't believe it myself!
Suddenly I'm up on top of the world -- should've been somebody else!
Believe it or not, I'm walking on air!
I never thought I could be so free-ee-eeee!
Flying away on a wing and a prayer...
who could it be?
Believe it or not, it's just me.

have a wonderful day.

things noted about me today...
1) I am a compulsive buyer.
2) I am shy around children, but once we warm up to each other...it's cool.
3) I am a COMPULSIVE buyer/spender. Ugh.
4) I think I've become a stalker. Not of anyone in particular, but just...I've taken on habits of stalking...which is kind of disturbing.

Oh yeah, more good things about today....
1) running into Anna in the Orpheum bathroom.
2) running into KRISTA @ the Orpheum bathroom (b/w Alana and Jack...and to think, I almost didn't pee). She was on my dts/outreach team. I got meet her new b/f Jeremy...teeheehee...I heard SO much about him. She's doing really well...I'm so happy for her. God did some incredible things in her life during dts! I was so...I am so...full of REJOICING for her.
3) I've forgotten many moments I'm sure, but you know...life will go on. Basically...mm...thank you Jesus for a wonderful day.
Amen.

things about today that were less than good.
1) lotsa pot smoking @ jack j. Not ME, but the people around me. So that has led to my feeling slightly ill...and perhaps high by association? Anyway, my mouth is really dry and I have a headache....ugh. smoke sucks.
2) falafel sandwich...it was good, but also has led to my illness-feeling. Mmm...falafel....(I can't resist soy bean curd and tzatziki sauce).
3) I think that's it actually. Oh, well...we tried to run forward into the aisle during jack, and we got up there and he was so close...but the security/usher guy sent us back to the back...where our seats were. *shrugs* oh well.
4) being exhausted and having to
5) drive around lots.

Ok, October 15...wow, good things happened.
1) I worked, which means....a) I get money, b) I met cute, cute kids. c), another center knows I am a sub who needs work.
2) a center in Vancouver booked me for two 8-10 hour days this month. YIIPEEEE!!!
3) I registered and paid for my first aid/cpr course. This will mean the possibility of a permanent job. PLUS...because I was in Vancouver paying, I got to bring Mikael home with me and spend the day with her. So....
4) day with Mikael.
5) really, really, really satirical and wise and poignant letter in Maclean's (yes, I read it!). I'll recopy the letter here someday soon.
6) themall...which generally makes me ill, but 2 factors prevented that....a) I was with Mikael (other friends help prevent mallsickness too), b) I got great deals like....ON SALE pants @ the Gap...and a GREAT, classic black blouse from CG, and a bday present for my mum.
7) It was sunny. :)
8) JACK JOHNSON!!!!!
9) ALANA DAVIS opening for Jack Johnson. WOW!!! She...wow...I can't even explain how I felt while she played. She's incredible. Her voice, her writing, even her chit-chatty stage presence...wow. I've never, EVER been so blown away by an opening act. Alana wins!
10) I gave Jack (or mr.nice security guard man) a copy of my CD yesterday (ie, MY OWN ALBUM, not my copy of his). Just thinking that maybe he'd listened to it since last night...brought a smile of mmmmm...to my face. And of course...hearing him play live...wow.
11) Jack Johnson is married to a girl named Kelly. That is so sweet. awww...
12) Post-concert chillin' with Jeff and Lindsay (brief foray with pete and sarah too).
13) my bed awaits, and my room is pretty clean.
14) God loves me.
15) I have new pants. yay.
16) brief but wonderful conversations/msn's with Katrina and Andwer, Steve C and James T. OH yeah, and James who moved to Courtenay showed up @ Binghams while I was there. And I got to eat dinner @ Binghams on my way to the concert.
17) speaking of the concert...we scored free parking!!!!
18) Ok, what can beat free parking downtown the night of a concert?
19) God loves me.
20) the end.

pat says this is funny

give thanks with a grateful heart
give thanks to the Holy One.
give thanks, because He's given Jesus christ, His Son.
And now, let the weak say I am strong.
Let the poor say I am rich,
because of what the Lord has done for us.
Give thanks.

*blessings*
love, melinda

lotsa spelling mishaps in that last entry.
oh well.
after jack, I took Ben home, and Zoe and I chilled in my room for a few, (she "hates" my room, cuz of all the coldplay gear...teeheehee). Then she and I booked to Ashpoon's house to watch a movie (we missed the first half hour or so).
It was a french movie called, "L'Emploi de Temps" or "time out". It was pretty good. I'd like to check online for the director's notes and stuff. It seems like a movie with lots of hidden meaning, lots of thought put into it.
Anyway, I need to go to bed. I have a ymca shift from 7-9am tomorrow. Ugh. so early...

tonight I went with Zoe and Ben to see jack johnson live @ Virgin Records.
wow.
it was awesome. So small and cute and yet...he just blows you away. He has a stage presence similar to Andwer's....picture Andwer in a few years, with a manager giving him tips while trying to retain that I-hide-behind-my-guitar-so-just-let-me-play stage presence. It's so sweet and cute an innocent, yet when he starts playing...wow.
That's kinda how jack johnson is.
He's so nice! He's someone I really want to be friends with.

Cool thing:
I wanted to give Jack a copy of my album, but only the first 40 or so people in line got autographs, etc...so that was fine. During the performance (6 songs), I sort of mulled it over, and after song 4, I decided to put a plan into action. I busted a copy of "life worth living" out of its wrapper, busted some paper out of my agenda, wrote jack a note, then waited 'til song 4 was done. I went up to one of the nicest security guards I've ever met, and with a degree of nervousness showed him the CD and said, "could you give this to him (meaning jack johnson) for me?". The nice security man smiled and said sincerely, "we can definitely do that for you."
I said, "thank you," and returned to my seat, giddy with dreams of...jack johnson smiling while listening to my CD.
Small dreams, small but nice.
Thank you, nice security guard. You made my day. I hope you really meant it when you said you could give jack johnson my CD. It would mean a lot to me.
goodnite

one more thing....a prof. theophilus article
enjoy!

This is possibly the most moving piece of journalism I've read regarding the 9-11-01 attacks and Christ.
It's hard to explain how I feel having just taken it in. Please, read it for yourself. Comment, or not. But allow yourself to be challenged, to be moved, even to be angered or frustrated. Only do not let yourself be apathetic. That is the worst place to be.

Something I've just read blew me away, because in part, it's about me. I mean, I'm a girl...er..20 year old woman who's kind of afraid to grow up. I think I can't decide on school or work or whatever because I don't know how! I love new challenges, yet I'm petrified with fear when the prospect of facing them comes along.
it's a good article, check it out. Post comments with any thoughts...
*peace*

OH YEAH...and today....*dun dun dun* JULIE is 21!!!!
YAY JULIE!!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!
happy birthday Julie. I hope 21 treats you right. Cuz you deserve it.

I've just found a random blog, which is quite possibly the best blog I've come across yet (aside from Jo's...but that's obvious). Ryan's Blog.
Just read it.

check out Zoe's Blog today. You won't regret it, I promise.

zoe listens to ben harper, and coldplay. and she loves lord of the rings. and she likes jack johnson, and a bunch of other musicians I live to listen to.
who knew 15-year-olds could be so cool!? (aside from my dear brother BEN, obviously).

Mmm...so full of tuuuurkey....
Oh man. I have so much to write about...but the One I need to pour it out to...He doesn't read my blog. He knows my heart, but He wants me to come and talk to Him.
Mmm...it's so amazing to be loved that much, isn't it?

*when you wish upon a star, your dreams come true.*

feel free to ignore that last entry. it's very angsty, and not even really how I feel. Just an exaggeration of how I feel sometimes.

something I've noticed...when I call Mikael or Jessica or Ash...or one of a few others...and I want to hang out, I either get, "yeah, totally, come on over..." or, "oh...I'm working...but call me tomorrow..." or whatever. Both very good answers...the 2nd, slightly disappointing, but you know....life happens.
There are other friends of mine who I call, and I get nearly shot down.
Me: "Hey, what are ya'll doing tonight?"
Friend: "Oh...I dunno. Maybe nothing. We're just hanging out @ [so-and-so's] house."
Me: "Ok..well, is it alright if I come by?"
Friend: "well...I dunno...we're not really doing much...why don't I call you later?"
Me: "oh...sure...ok."
Dude...so unwelcoming. So disconcerting. I don't like it.
Why must life and relationships persist in being so aaaawkward?!

Today I: 1) got up. That was more miraculous a feat that I can describe to you here. I felt half-dead when I woke up this morning. Ugh.
2) drove to Vancouver without crashing (also a miraculous feat, given that I was not quite conscious).
3) went to a youth-leaders meeting where I spoke with moderately impressive articulation (given that I was....*crowd shouts, "almost dead!".* well done).
4) went to Zulu (found my CD on the indie shelf...teeheehee), and bought Modest Mouse (yes yes...but I don't think I'm fully "on" the band wagon...yet. The Moon and Antarctica...mmm...so good).
4 b) bought a ticket to Pedro the Lion @ Richard's on Richards for next Friday (Oct.18). yeah baby! If anyone wants to give me a ride....
5) Went to "Bino's Family Restaurant" with Mikael and Peng, for lunch. Mm...t'was good, and cheap. Yep. Great combo right there! *didn't have to pay for parking! Nice lady-in-black-SUV gave me her ticket with 1.5 hours left on it! Thanks lady!*
6) Went home. *phew* Stopped only for a few short minutes. Then I went to McNair to visit Mr. Marco Antonio Soriano, my high school acting teacher, and really...mentor-type-influence. He's great. We talked for a bit (never long enough!) and he bought my CD, which was exciting. He is one of the people I wanted to make sure have one...and now he does. Yay.
7) Came home again, made dinner, napped (mmmmm....) celebrated mum's birthday with the family dinner...then did the Ben's show thing...la da da da da...
I have an ear-ache...I think there may be an alien or a mouse or a cockroach or an earwig or something burrowing in there...it freakin' hurts though. Hence...time for bed.
See you tomorrow...or not. Have a happy, happy thansgiving. May you know the JOY of the Lord to overflowing...brought on by knowing His deep, intimate, unending love for you. May your hearts be glad, and may your time be filled with true fellowship. Wherever you are "at" with God, I pray that you will be drawn into His presence, and that you will know, deeply and securely, that you are loved, treasured, cared for, watched over. That you matter to your Father in heaven more than you've ever thought possible.
Until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
love, love...so much love! *peace*
MElinda

My mum turned 46 today...well, actually on the 11th, which was (according to my computer clock) yesterday. Only by a few minutes.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUM!!! *smiles and waves*
Yep.
Ben's band played a show tonight...that was fun. They're pretty good...they just need to find that *something* that sets them apart from all the other guys with guitars.
Although I must say that BeN was rockin' the stinkin' suburbs with his sweet, sweet aviators.
He is...a bassist.

Don't be surprised if I'm dead on Tuesday. This weekend holds for me not 1 (one), not 2 (two), but 3! (THREE!) turkey dinners. Oh dear.

imr's show tonight was great. Someone said it wasn't the best they've seen....shmeh. I enjoyed it a lot. Admittedly, it wasn't as intense as other shows have been, but that's ok with me. It was fun, I was with Mikael and Jess (no greater 3-musketeers-type friendship has ever been had), my emotions were quite uncomplicated...Mikael was so excited when she saw her Jack Johnson tickets that she yelped and hugged me, nearly causing an accident....but that was a better reaction that I could have dreamed. *smiles*
What else? Oh yes...Chris (mr."cupid") hit on Mikael for his friend Dave...that was lame and weird and awkward...poor old Dave had to contend with Jess and I if he wanted Mikael...it was just...lame and weird and awkward. We were secretly hoping the band members (or @ least 1 of them) would come and pretend to "be with us" to save us from "cupid and his friend stoopid" but to no avail. *sighs* No harm done.
Ha, that and Mikael got into the bar using 1) her IYTC (Int'l Youth Travel Card), the pertinent info on which is HAND-printed, and 2) her Care Card. That girl needs to get a BCID. Until then...bouncers beware...there is an honest, HONEST girl out there with ID which appears to be homemade...but the Care Card's legit, so let her in, you chump! (Oh yes, thanks to the Ocean Beach Motel bouncer-man, who so graciously let her in).
*peace*
chin, chin!

I think we all need to be a little more aware....

Reused water bottles carry dangerous bacteria: researchers
Last Updated Thu, 10 Oct 2002 11:53:20
EDMONTON - Reused water bottles can lead to serious stomach infections if they're not washed properly say Alberta health authorities.
Dr. Gerry Predy, Edmonton's medical officer of health, has sent out a public warning to keep the bottles clean.
"You do get germs from your mouth on it and there's bits of protein on saliva that organisms can thrive and grow on," says Predy.
Predy is responding to a University of Calgary study. Researchers tested the water in children's reused bottles at an elementary school.
Dangerous levels of bacteria were found in nearly three out of four samples.
"If these levels of bacteria were in a public water supply, then the public water supply would be shut down or a boil water advisory would be issued," says Cathy Ryan, one of the researchers.
Many people believe that their bottles are free from dangerous bacteria because they're the only ones using it.
"If I have my individual one, I don't see the point (of washing it)," says Lindsay Parsons, a hockey player. Parsons says his bottle is never washed.
"I never got anything from it (and) I don't let anyone else use it," says Dan Gladwin, Parson's team mate.
Researchers say that's the wrong way to go about it. Ryan says germs grow on the saliva that backwashes into the bottles and that can cause severe stomach infections.
"Most people…feel it's something they themselves have been using (so) they are not too worried about it, but it's just like any other dish or utensil — they should be washed every day," says Predy.
Predy says all bottles need to be washed with soap and warm water daily and left to dry.

Written by CBC News Online staff

I have a sudden, strong impulse to go scrub my nalgene with bleach-water....or maybe a power washer....eeew....

Oh yeah, and on the list of 20 great things the other day...I saw Jo and Andwer WEST of No.5 Rd, not east as written.
*sighs*
I am so directionally challenged, it's not even...funny.

fresh blogs noted today: "girl pokes girl" (eeew...), and Tim Hortons. The 2nd one is a group one, mostly a message board...BUT if you scroll down to October 7, one of the entries has scrolling text, which I thought was pretty neat.

Other things to note from today....

1) I am a chump. I totally forgot to take Katy's house key to her, left the poor girl freaking out for a few hours...*shakes head in disgust...*. How many more people will fall victim to my short-term memory (or lack thereof)?

2) The Mexico Team for 2003 is looking great. The girls on the team may be a little soft-spoken, but I get the sense they are totally on the verge of God doing something BIG in their lives. They seem sweet, and soft-hearted towards him. That's who I was in youth group...I'm excited to get to know them.

3) Mikael is not a chump. Tomorrow morning, I'm going to read Hebrews (or as much of it as possible) and prepare for her the great October 15, 2002 surprise. Teeheehee....

4) My mum's birthday is on FRIDAY!!! What will I give her? Suggestions...?

5) Alpha was good. The non-talker in my small group talked, and she asked a biiiig question. She is certainly a genuine seeker. I'm excited for her.

6) My dad makes a mean lasagna.

7) Jessica Bell is amazing. I love her so much. She's in the top 3. Yep. Top 3. Wow.

8) Pat, also a very wonderful friend. In the tight-circle grouping. Or the horizontally expanding top 3....

9) Mike's Great Bass Mix 2001 is incredible. Wow. Who knew...the bass...was so versatile...when played by such stellar musicians. It's inspiring.

10) I dropped off my first demo, and prepped the letter to go with the second. *phew*. Nerve-wracking, but it's good to have "stuff" happening.



NOTE: Remind me if you can...I need to call St.John's Ambulance about getting my first aid/cpr so I'll @ least be elidgible for a ymca permanent position....

imr plays tomorrow night @ ocean beach pub in white rock. Be there or be...not @ an amazing live show.

It should be noted that Tim is wonderful for many, many reasons, and I hold him dearly in my heart...the typing voice thing was kind of a side note.

Tim is wonderful. And when he types, one can hear him speaking. I love that. It's odd when people's computer typing voices don't match how they actually talk.

Anyway, I need some sleep. TA!

JO just said--and I quote--, "FLAMING CRAP ON A STICK!!! Where does the time go?"

More inventive, interesting, and amusing than any standard profanity. And it's not really all that profane. Just kinda crude. In an, "OH SHOOOT!! I'm going be so tired tomorrow!", kinda way.

Jo is awesome. I love her so much....wow. Hence today, I drove her to the allergist. She reacted so well, *sniffs*....I'm so proud...*sobs....rushes off in search of a kleenex*

*loud nose-blowing heard in the distance....* thank goodness for mr.kleenex.

In case you're interested, I spent 6 months in Townsville, Australia doing a DTS (Discipleship Training School) with YWAM (Youth With A Mission). If you want to check out my adventure sites, the base has a website. And if you then click on "staff and students", and then "melinda appenheimer" (under graduates), you can check out my personal RTO webpage, which I try and update once a month or so.

I think seeing the Portland fellow on the street last night has really thrown me off. I'm not sure why...just that...oh man, it's really bothering me.

Should I try and go back there to work? I'm not sure...there are actually quite a few questions plaguing me right now...work, school, love, friendships, reading, writing, blogging, church, worship leading, ywam, and alpha...ugh. Tomorrow morning I'm getting up @ 9 to spend some quality time in the WORD...that life-giving book God has given us. Yes, I'm talking about the Bible. I love it so much. I skimmed just a few sentences the other day, and something in me stirred. A large part of my motivation to develop a normal sleeping pattern (ie in bed by 11 or 12 @ the latest) is so I can have a quiet time every morning. Because from there, I can do anything, through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). Study theory, piano, voice, practice clarinet (because I love it!) and guitar, calls lounges/coffee shops, walk, exercise, ride my bike...anything! Once my eyes are on Christ, and I am secure, I am....I am ready to live.

how do I so easily ignore the most important relationship in my life?

I'm reading a book called "the glass palace" and so far, there have been 2 very sketchy sexual references. Yep. The most recent one...the 11 year old boy and the lady he works for almost copulated.

And it's weird, because I am enjoying the story...aside from the sketchy bits just mentioned. *sighs* It's so hard to find a book that's a good, well-written piece of literature, without any sort of...defiling text. Maybe that's the "real world" or whatever. It annoys me.

*climbs back into the bubble....*

Lisa is cool. Actually, she's the coolest kid in the house. We even like the same books. Lisa is cool.

the end.

I"m nannying right now for some kids who Katy usually nanny's for, but she couldn't today so I am. Yep. It's fun. Lisa is here right now, and she's supposed to be getting dressed for hockey, but she's not. Well, she is, but she's stalling.

Speaking of which, I should probably get back to nannying, and get off blogger. Yep.

Aww...kids are great. And Cousin Tom is on msn. How fun is that!?

Toooonight, Mikael and Jessica are coming over, and we're going to make cookies and watch movies....it'll be fun. So call/email if 1) you want to come, or 2) you want us to bring you some cookies.

*ta!*

I just saw a recently published blog titled, "And I Am Alone in My Defeat", which I can only assume is referring to a song by Dashboard Confessional. I'd take interest in reading the blog, except it's bound to be whiny and complaining and, "boohoo, poor me," about girls and love or lack thereof.

But hey, it's good to know other people are out there listening to Dashboard Confessional aka Chris Carabba.

Funny story about that involving coldplay and driving to seattle and steve...but I have to go get my mum.

ta!

The clock on this blog doesn't work. Often my post-times are wrong, and ALSO when I comment on other blogs (particularily imr's) the clock is at least 3 hours off.

The VSO was amazing. Absolutely amazing. And it was only $16.50 (rush tickets), and the balcony wasn't even half full, so I think ya'll should go sometime. $16.50!!! Rush tickets @ the Sydney Opera House were $50 or something like that....hence I couldn't go. Theatre tours were $16 there. Not many places in the world can you see a world-class symphony for under $20!!! AND...if you're a STUDENT...it's $13.25, and then if you join this thing that Jo joined, you can order tickets for $10!!! They want students to come see the symphony!!! So let's go already!

Speaking of studying, I've been having mini-panic attacks today about my not being a student. And even though I worked today (YAHOO!!!) I'm having mini-panic attacks about only being a sub, hence no regular work....

But they are just mini-panic attacks. And I think things are going well...I'm determined to get the demos out to coffee shops this week, and also determined to sleep by midnite, so I can be up by 9 or 10 and study the Bible/theory, walk in the mornings, read my novel...maybe even catch a few sunrises.

Yeah.

I hate that Joan Osborne song, 'If God was One of Us" or whatever the stink it's called. If only because YES!! God was one of us, He absolutely was...I dunno. The song just bugs me. A causation of this hatred could be that I once knew a youth leader who used it during worship @ retreats, and that really pissed me off. A lot.

I think worship songs should speak the utmost truth about God, and they should be focussed on God, on praising Him because...not on, "oh poor me, I am so sad...waaaah,"...that's lame. We worship God because HE IS, not because we are...

Ugh. Enough.

I saw an ex-Portland resident on the street today, begging. That made me quite sad. He's an older-looking fellow, though he's apparently under 50. His life is a sad, sad tale to tell, and seeing him sitting there on the sidewalk broke my heart. I didn't know what to do, so I just walked by (not that I had any cash or cigarettes to give him anyway). I felt so powerless. What could I have done? He's not a resident I knew well. He's rather a paranoid fellow, and would only accept home support from this one other worker.

The whole (non)-encounter has left me somewhat shaken. I sometimes wonder if I should try harder to get back on staff @ the hotel...



Working at that hotel changed my life in a lot of ways. Being on the inside of that downtown-east-side world (while still being able to walk out @ the end of the day) changed my perception of the people who live there every day. It changed my black-and-white idea of drug abuse and addiction, and the lifestyle that eventually accompanies it. I was often sick with...disgust and anger and sorrow when I was down there, and I didn't know what to do. It seems so futile, doing anything "good" down there. Cleaning a room today, knowing it will be filthy again tomorrow...and you'll clean it again, and it will be filthy...

Why bother? Why try? Why care? How does God care? How does He go on and on and on caring about us, for us? He pours so much into us, or longs to...does He suffer disappointment? Does His heart break with sorrow? Rejection? He has no ego/confidence problems though...that's the incomprehensibility of it all. He doesn't NEED us to love Him, but He wants us to, because He so desires a full, full, rich, rewarding life for each of us. For me. For you. For the street urchins, the unborn children, the single mums, the professionals, the drug addicts and prostitutes, the victims, the bullies....the pastors, priests, kings, queens...He sees not one of us as being above or below another.

Sometimes I get feeling jealous; like God should love me more. But I'm so glad He doesn't. What a horror it would be to love and serve a compromising, favouritest God.

I could go on forever, but perhaps I should not. I need to sleep at some point, and I think this entry is quite long as it is.

As always, you're welcome to comment.

*peace*

ta!



Listening to: Joe Trio "A Cup of Joe", and Mike's Bass Mix 2001.

going to the symphony for really really cheap...so excited...gotta go get dressed.
ta!

The video guy was there. His name is Gerry. I think that's how he spells it.
Here's what went down: Mikael and I were @ Tim Horton's with Brett, Ash, Roger and then these 2 girls I went to elementary school with (RANDOM!!!). It was only 10:30pm, EARLY for us, early enough to rent a movie. Withnail...and I was the obvious choice, so my hip-joined friend and I headed to Roger's...speculating on the way that IF "video-guy" were there, we'd give him a heart attack with our speedy selection. And indeed he was. And indeed, we nearly did. Well...maybe not a heart attack, but he did say, "did you guys get someone to put that on the edge of the shelf for you...?" or something to that effect.
It was quite fun, and I think next time we should invite him to come watch it with us.
*chin, chin*

Blogger actually holds sway over the moments of my everyday life.

-
Justin B Hanknis

*i mentioned this quotation some blogs ago. then I found it again. creepy.*

(oh yes....click on TA DA!!!!! to get to "here", ie where notice of gigs will be posted.)
(ta)
(rock garden tonight in burnaby...you know it will be good. 6:30pm...the exits are gaglardi [?], cariboo, then government...you can do it. see you there.)

So for all of you who've been patiently waiting to hear me play live...TA DA!!!
Gigs will be posted here....so look often. Cuz you know that once this ball gets rolling, no moss with gather.
*ta*

Ash was online...andheleft. Jo was online...andsheleft. So Iamleft all alone....but it's alright. Because I have Paul Simon.
Graceland....I don't know how any music lover can truly be considered a music lover without having this in their collection.
**don't I know you from the cinematographer's party?**

And Pedro the Lion's playing @ Richard's on Richards on Oct.18...tickets @ zulu are $13.25....umm...anybody wanna go?

Just so everybody who's somebody knows.....my album is now available @ Zulu Records (1972 West 4th [and Cypress, I believe] Vancouver BC).
So if you don't have it, go buy it. And tell your friends. Cuz it's there...and it wants to be bought.

"[cough] [hack] [die] [03 Oct 2002|07:48pm]
three people sit and talk outside while waiting for their next class. two of the three take out cigarettes and proceed to light them. one takes out a lighter, lights the cigarette, and passes it to the other. the other refuses, and opts for matches instead.

"Why do you insist on using matches? They'll kill you faster."

there is something so sickeningly ironic about that... the inherent knowledge that the continued practice of the habit will, in fact, eventually lead to their demise, yet... the sulfur intake as a result of match-use is still cause for concern...."

Yah...I know. it's hilarious-irony at it's best. Check it out for yourself @ Jo's journal

I love you, and goodnite!
*blowing kisses under moonlite....love love love!*

Fun and Exciting things in Melindaslife today...
1) YMCA Child Care...I HAVE A JOB!!!! YEEEEAH!!!!! *jumps in the air, clicks heels, throws punches of joy...woohooo!!!!* AND even though I'm sub....so theoretically, I could "have" a job and not work for weeks...I HAVE A SHIFT ON MONDAY!!!!! *Yeah!*
2) IKEA...and my new bed. Yep, that's right. We picked out the bed, AND the mattress, AND the duvet cover, AND I got some throw pillows today. Yep...the colour scheme is wacky and bright and I LOVE IT!!! *my room is blue...hardwood ceiling, white trim-things, it's GORGEOUS!!! And the bed will be covered in a duvet of orange/red/pink....YEEEAH!!!! I'm so excited. It's gonna RULE!*
3) Youth group @ kits...yah, it was a bake-off...and Mikael and I were judges (and THeo too...the swedish thing...yah, baby!)...so we ate cookies.
4) Watching my little sister hang out with my friends. It's too fun.
5) Hanging out with my friends....in particular Jon Reimer. 'Nuff said.
6) Jonny Page (or Paige?).
7) Watching Brock try and wrestle Theo to the ground....ha.
8) A brief, BRIEF conversation with Ash. But that's enough to brighten my day.
9) The sheer anticipation of the weekend. Oh baby. A Rush of CHeese to the Head and The Rock Garden. WHOOEEEEEE!!!!
10) Driving past Andwer and Jo on Williams just East of 5 road. That brightened my day like nothing else could. Just knowing those 2 go on existing makes me smile...seeing them in existence....woah. Crazy.
11) Did I mention IKEA?
12) I HAVE A JOB!!!!!
13) My mum and dad went on a date. awwww....
14) Mikael. Yep, let's face it, we are joined at the hip...most of the time. I am so glad she's here.
15) Listening to the Wildings while driving. They saved "great God"....when they sing it, I picture God's majesty and vastness.....not a bunch of dumb campers giving him 2 thumbs up. NO, no, he is FAR FAR FAR greater than any thumb could express.
16) The JOY of the Lord.
17) I think it's nearly time for this list to end. YAY!
18) I'll be cleaning my room soon...that makes me happy.
19) God is blessing me so much, in every area of life. *shouts* YYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!! HA ha ha ha ha!!! *laughter, hilarity, and JOY!*
20) I'm 20. It's a good age. Invincible, responsible, fun-loving, carefree, single, surrounded by amazing friends, talented, beautiful, joyful, happy, giddy, child-like, mature, the world-at-my-feet, sunny days, mr.dress-up memories, foo-foo drinkin', good-food-eatin', music buyin', webloggin', emailin', phonin', partyin'....sweet, sweet, blissfully ignorant and full of ageless wisdom TWENTY (20)!!!!

there's a blog called "homophobia is gay"...ha ha ha ha ha. that's funny. Jon Reimer would appreciate that, because he appreciates that sort of humour. I'll make a note to tell him about it.
SO...ha! That's very few blogs today for me, isn't it!? (or rather, for the 4th). Not once during the day did I BLOG!! (Probably because I slept 'til noon, then volunteered @ the Y and then came home, ate dinner, went to yg...but still, there were moments where blogging could have been the activity of choice...).
I hope someone out there is proud of me for beginning to conquer this addiction....*twitch*

tonight ash pointed out that I blog a lot *say with sharp annunciation*...and I concurred. he also pointed out that I have PLENTY to do with the time I spend blogging, and therefore claim to "not have". *sighs*. he's right.
so I want to blog less...3-5 times a day MAX...oh dear. We'll see.
also...i love online banking. my visa bill is paid until next month. *phew*

OK, and I've been told that I may have offended Steve by accident when referring to ski-jump hair girl as possibly Lauren. I thought that could be her name because when I met her, I also met her sister, who is Laura! But 'she' is in fact JEN...and I forgot her name for quite some time, so I'm sure I seemed rather rude because I never said hi to her...but it's because I forgot her name, and she remembered mine...and I always feel kinda bad when that happens.
So Steve, JEN...I'm sorry. I think you're both wonderful and meant no offence in any way, shape, form, facet, forum...etc.
*peace*

which is not to say that I don't hang out with other people...or that I don't enjoy the company of other girls...
it's just that, as I said tonight...when I'm making a list of people to hang out with, Mikael and Ash are my first 2 choices. Why? Because 1) if the 3 of us are together, it's more than fun. It's riotous hilarity and fun. 2) if I'm just hanging out with either of them, it's cool. It's easy, it's fun, it can be serious....conversation, silence, tv, movie, coffee, tea, (from now on) chutney...it's just good. 3) in the last couple of years, they've been my 2 constant friends. Always "there for me"...
And I'm totally diggin' the new friends I'm making. TOTALLY!!! New friends--I LOVE YOU!!!! But you know when you get to the point in a friendship where you can just be...and it's so good...
that's what it is.
the end.
ps...why do I justify myself to my blog-readers? If you read my blog....I would assume you know me quite well...and hence understand that what I say is 99.9999999% of the time NOT meant to offend or hurt, scorn, burn, etc....

By the way...when I say 'we' in a story like that one...the part of we that isn't me is usually mikael.

On the blogger.com homepage/sign-in page, there's a list of "Fresh Blogs"...the 10 most recently published. Tonight, when I signed in, the fresh blogs were from 10:26pm. That's not very fresh at all...stale...yech.
Tonight, I went to Bach Choir, and can't-quite-sing-in-tune girl was beside me, but on my right, so she sang towards the conductor, and my ears weren't in the way. *phew*
After that, I went to Bible study...Yay hebrews...Jon was there and he cracks me up..mmm...I love that kid. SOOOOO much! *kiss, kiss*
Yep. THEN...the fun really began when we picked Ash up from work (I'm afraid we may have left him stranded outside for a few mintues...sorry ash *blushes with...sorry*). We took Brad and Dani home, then bang! off to Locus for fine dining...Mmmm...it was so good! I got Chicken Wrapped Anaheim (?)...a pepper stuffed with jalapeno-jack cheese, wrapped in chicken with CHUTNEY (oh baby!) and salad...and we got yam fries to share. And Ash had this fun yummy-spicy cheese dip/sauce/soup/meal thing...so that was good. And the waitress girl-in-the-yellow-shirt was really patient. And fresh-pepper-guy was fun!
All in all, a wonderful night spent with 2 of my dearest friends.
Oh yeah...new year's...none of this gender separation crap! Party @ Mikael's cabin!
The end.

If weblogs are the crack-cocaine of the world wide web, then Blogger is a pipe made from the most finely blown glass.

-
Alan, gliff.org

*skeptical face* riiiight....

there are a lot of typos/redundant phrases/words in that last blog, but I will resist the urge to edit....*argh!*
*gah!*
*gaaaaah!*

I think I've just had an epiphany.
I wrote an email to Steve, asking him to tell Rebecca (I really hope that's how she spells her name) that I may have a show soon...and she should come when/if I do.
And then I started thinking, "oh man...I gotta find someone else to play with me...I can't do it alo---...or can I?"
I think I need to separate myself artistically from some of my friends, and here is the reason why. Say I look at imr, and the 4 guys in it. They are pretty amazing, and have an incredible bond, and they make *stunning* music. That's kind of intimidating for me to look at, or to feel I have to follow. I mean...to have friends like that, whose success is growing rapidly...and then there's little old me...wondering if people will listen to me and enjoy what I have to offer...or maybe if I had another guitarist or singer or a pianist or a drummer, or a whole band...maybe then I'd be worth listening to.
[melinda wishes to note that it is hard to type out an epiphany that's just barely forming in one's head....]
But I need to realize that I have a gift, and talent, and if/when God is calling me to use it, I need to do that. I don't have to be nervous about playing a solo show just because my friends have a really good band. It's not about a competition, because if it was...I'd never measure up.
I guess...the epiphany was really more of a realization that I need to have confidence in what I'm doing; in the songs I write, the voice I sing with, these hands that strum....once I've got MY show down...then adding more musicians/elements to it will only be icing on a sweet, sweet cake.
9 tracks of acoustic love...a warm blanket of audio sound...life worth listening IS an album worth listening to...
mmm...blanket.
I want people to feel enveloped with love and rest when they come to my shows. I want the crowd to nestle in close and rest.
Mmm...I need a clear vision of how I want my live performances to be.
Essentially, I want the people who are listening, be they friend or stranger, family or neighbour, to feel as if they are sitting on a couch in my living room; warm, snug, with a cup of their favourite beverage in hand, ready to enjoy an evening with old friends.
are you diggin' it?

I just wrote the BEST blog about going to the library, and now it's gone.
I'm rather disappointed, because it was amusing and stuff...oh dear. Well, here's the BRI fact I'd added to it...
Poll Results: A group of non-English speakers chose "diarrhea" as one of the prettiest-sounding English words.

Just reading that makes me want to puke. eeewww...*gags*. If only I'd never worked at the portland....

from the BRI...
What Men Know About Women
Some excerpts from a book we picked up at our local bookstore:
*blank page, divided into 2 columns...*

ah ha ha ha ha ha ha....*doubled up on the floor*...oh dear.
note: melindathegreat part 2 believes the reverse is true...but this is what's in the BRI...and it's funny.
agree/disagree? FEEL FREE TO COMMENT!

why are dunk-a-roos so good? And why, might I add, are the called dunk-a-roos, when there are actually very few roo-shaped cookies? which brings me back to my original question...why are they so good?
also...there's an suv/sporty/4WD type vehicle in Australia called a Jackeroo. I believe it's made by Holden, but don't quote me on that. these vehicles are fun to ride in.
i have to go pay my visa bill. woooo....

I need some sleep. peace out yo!

r.m....in answer to your comment/question...yes, I believe that the "jesus blood never fails me" is the same as the deliriou5? song. At least, the tune the old homeless man was singing was very much like the deliriou5? song. elevator-voice lady said it was an old sunday school tune.
kav....stabilo's playing in richmond next week? where?

wow. I was worried for a minute or 10 there. Blogger wouldn't let me sign in...I had to re-enter my username/password over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again. But that's all over now. *phew*
Tonight I went on a night walk with Julie (YAY!...lotsa good stuff there) and I went to see Stabilo Boss @ Cheers in Surrey...I just wrote a mildly amusing list of things I learned to the imr boys...let me see if I can recreate it here...
Things I discovered....(while @ Cheers in Surrey/Delta)...1) Cheers is a seedy/skanky/lots of underage drinking and dirty dancing type place, 2) Avoid clubs/bars in Surrey at virtually any cost, 3) stay away from creepy-guy(s) [Erin was wearing a blue hoodie with a furry trim, and creepy-guy started rubbing it....eeew....weeeeird]........4) Leave the bar/club when creepy guy starts putting out the vibe in your direction, 5) Washed-up frat boys should be locked away, 6) imr is the best live show I've ever seen. Beautiful, intense, intimate....woah. 7) it's a good thing that Studebaker's show w/Stabilo Boss got cancelled...for sb's sake. imr would have blown those guys and the audience away into space....
Ok, that's all. Have a good night. (ps...anybody up for a night walk on Wednesday...)
(pps...john mayer is on David Letterman on Thursday. watch it and fall in love....[with john, not dave]...).

woohoo! it worked.
ok. bye.

what the stink is going on....anyway, what I wanted to say was I selected the option "convert line breaks" from the settings menu, which will hopefully mean that I don't have to type [break] in html everytime I want a line break....cuz that's annoying...
<--- here's where we will be able to tell whether it worked or not.

I think I smell like fish...I'm gonna go shower now.

Ok...so...I was listening to CBC Radio 2 this morning...to the classical program with the lady with the elevator music voice @ 11am-ish...and she played, "Jesus Blood Never Fails Me", and it was amazing. The symphony was built around a recording of this old homeless man in England singing the song. (Apparently, it was quite the controversy when the piece was first played. I thought it was a rather poignant statement, that this man, on the fringes of society, rather undesirable to the average human, would be singing the song, thus displaying one of the absolute truths about Christ. This old man is the one Christ would be with, were he walking the streets in human form today. It was a beautiful thing to listen to, actually.). Elevator-voice lady talked about the piece before she played it, so I ran downstairs to find a blank tape, and then ran back upstairs and popped it into the stereo and pressed 'record/play' just as the song began. I was so excited to listen to it again and again....so I rewound (sp?) the tape to listen to it...and all I got was blank tape. Dejectedly, I continued rewinding/fast-forwarding, but to no avail.

I shall have to write an email to elevator-voice lady and ask her the name/composer of the piece, then grab a friend (probably Mikael) and head down to a&b sound, and purchase a recording of it.



Tonight I am going to see Stabilo Boss @ Cheers in Delta with Erin. The band goes on @ 11pm. So it'll be an early night with lots of sleep at normal hours....