society of friends

religion, spirituality, and other sorts of mysticism are, for better or for worse, pretty much lost on me. i just don't buy it. i had a brief pre-adolescent affair with the christian pentecostal denomination, but it was one of those infatuations where beyond three months one either loses themselves or loses the shtick. I lost the latter, along with a bit of dignity and any lingering curiosity.
i also have an unfounded, vague, pop-psychology-type belief that because nothing non-empirically-based was drilled into my belief structure as a child, my worldview is now somehow hardwired to exclude anything that transcends the physical world. i'm even a bit suspicious of electricity, as i never really bothered to learn its ins and outs and basically take its omnipotence in my life on faith.
with that said, i'm still kind of angling to join the religious society of friends (quakers). wiki claims that a person can be one and be an agnostic or atheist, but i'm afraid they're damn liars. the meetings in my area pretty clearly cite jesus of nazareth as the source of the core "inner light" belief that i was hoping to interpret as my faith in my own brilliance. and, it would be a pain to have to go to meetings, even the awesome-sounding unstructured and totally egalitarian ones.
anyway, while i'm deciding, i thought it couldn't hurt to prostheletize a bit. look at how great these tennents are:

Helping others who are in need in whatever ways are open to us.
Supporting causes consistent with Quaker values.
Making economic choices that contribute to the fair sharing of world resources.
Questioning the myths and generalities often used to justify deprivation, punishment, and other human misery.
Avoiding support of war or the seeds of war.
Speaking truth to power, even when truth may not be welcome.
Embracing a style of life that promotes a healthy planet—supporting environmentally sound behavior.
Participating positively in public affairs.
Choosing to affirm in legal proceedings, rather than to swear an oath, which implies part-time truth telling.

13lb. Gummy Bear

This is just a note to remind myself come May of what I am making for my darling husband for his birthday this year. It looks dangerous, but one only lives once.

new discovery

I just found a great listing of chords to tons of folk-ish songs here. I have been carrying on about leaving on a jet plane, teaching your children well, and ain't got (having?) money all evening, to my heart's delight. Yes, the downstairs neighbors have turned up their horrendous Spanish-language soft rock, but I kind of take that as a compliment.
It's an impressive stock of some fiercely cheesy songs that are as fun to sing as they are comforting in that false-nostalgic sort of way. And the level is a good fit for unsatisfactory-to-fair guitar players such as myself.
It of course does not rival my dear departed OLGA, which has still yet to be matched.
I just wish I knew the tune of the verse to the song about not giving a damn about no greenback-a-dollar-- it would really complete the experience.

being married

Having beer at home on Tuesdays and
Weekend mornings finding the ski ball in the mall arcade feels like playing hooky from church
On the couch with my book in condo canyon lying next to you
I used to chase cities and vodka and serendipity
I found you and exactly this
Us as a working machine taking care of morning coffee and small bricks to build our lifetime
If I am trapped, it is by happiness, not inertia

look at the time fly

well, i started this blog right before last semester started, and then got right to neglecting to update it.
here's another semester starting, one of three left. this college stuff is the worst. (and the best...)
one day i will be free, and when i am, watch out. i mean it.
love
s