Mia loves me. She went shopping yesterday and picked up a bunch of snacks for me to take to work. I've not been eating so well, so having these makes me feel happy.
It's the little things in life that keep us going.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Deep Thoughts
Tonight, Edward was talking in his sleep, saying "Da Da Da Da" over and over. I went upstairs, thinking he was awake. Fortunately, all I had to do was stick a pacifer back in his mouth.
Then I went in to check on Ethan. He had moved his pillow to the foot of his bed. It was propped up against the footboard. He was sitting up leaning against it. His legs were crossed, and he had a finger up by the side of his head.
I asked what he was doing.
"Thinking," he said.
"What are you thinking about?" I asked.
"My halloween party," he said.
During the bedtime routine I had told him that he needed to get plenty of sleep to be ready for his party tomorrow. Apparently this was weighing heavily on his mind.
After collecting the ghosts from his room (he knew the specific places they were) I left him dusting the fan that acts as a side-table for his nightlight.
Yes, night's with Ethan are typically that random. Part of what makes them bearable... er I mean, so much fun.
Halloween -- All week long
We are in the middle of Halloween week. Yesterday was the ward Trunk-or-Treat (we all meet at the church, they have crafts and games inside, then trick-or-treating at the back of people's cars outside).
Ethan was very excited to wear his Buzz Lightyear costume.
Tomorrow is Ethan's pre-school Halloween party, as well as my work Halloween party.
Oh, and finally on Friday, is Halloween.
P.S. On Saturday, Ethan will be going to a Halloween-themed birthday party.
I'm thinking we should just go all the way and wear our costumes to church on Sunday.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
A First
I've led a very fortunate life. I'm 31 and never lost anyone in my immediate or extended family.
Until today.
Monica called me just a few minutes ago to tell me that our Grandpa Jo had passed away. Grandma Jo has been in and out of the hospital the last few weeks. We've all been so worried about her and praying for her so much.
Monica said that he was taken to the hospital for sudden chest pains, and shortly after that he passed away.
This was rather unexpected. Mia and I really wanted to have a chance to go down with Edward so they could meet both of their Great-Grandchildren.
I'm sad tonight. That's... an understatement but I can't really put better words on it.
Until today.
Monica called me just a few minutes ago to tell me that our Grandpa Jo had passed away. Grandma Jo has been in and out of the hospital the last few weeks. We've all been so worried about her and praying for her so much.
Monica said that he was taken to the hospital for sudden chest pains, and shortly after that he passed away.
This was rather unexpected. Mia and I really wanted to have a chance to go down with Edward so they could meet both of their Great-Grandchildren.
I'm sad tonight. That's... an understatement but I can't really put better words on it.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
William Tell was a rocket scientist
Yes, it's another poem post. I know that I had one not too long ago but I'm going ahead with another one. Hopefully, if you know me, you are the kind of person that will appreciate my odd style of creative writing as well.
But, more importantly, this poem was a good exercise in reminding me that I've got at least a little bit of skill as a writer. I follow some pretty great blogs online and read some pieces that are very well crafted. When I do, it makes me wish I could dedicate more time to my own writing and improve my skills.
So, I'm going to run you through some of what I did yesterday working on this poem. Here's the draft I had after some tinkering. I felt that it was in reasonably good shape but something was missing. See if you can spot where.
William Tell was a rocket scientist.
When I read through this version to Mia, she agreed that something was missing but couldn't put her finger on where. What I saw as I was writing and tweaking was that I needed something at the end of the 4th stanza to tie William Tell's connection to the moon into the connection between the young couple. With some help from Mia, this is what I came up with.
William Tell was a rocket scientist.
In this case, I'm exploring the pursuit of achievement that the protagonist (William Tell) is seeking by his quest for the moon. In that pursuit, we see that he's lost sight of everything else in the world, and developed an unrequited infatuation with the moon.
In contrast, the young couple walking along the river not only have each other but through their connection, they are able to appreciate the moon that is nearer to them in the river's reflection. Their sight is aimed in a different direction and yet it brings them closer (metaphorically) to the goal that William Tell is pursuing (but since the moon itself is a symbol the metaphor works).
Anyway, that's what I was trying to put into the piece, I hope that's what you got out of it as well.
But, more importantly, this poem was a good exercise in reminding me that I've got at least a little bit of skill as a writer. I follow some pretty great blogs online and read some pieces that are very well crafted. When I do, it makes me wish I could dedicate more time to my own writing and improve my skills.
So, I'm going to run you through some of what I did yesterday working on this poem. Here's the draft I had after some tinkering. I felt that it was in reasonably good shape but something was missing. See if you can spot where.
William Tell was a rocket scientist.
He aimed for the stars.
For the moon.
"One day," he told me, "I will get
to the moon." And he would look
up into the night sky as he walked.
He always walked at night. Watching
the moon, measuring, calculating.
563,009 miles; 3409 minutes; 898,008,023
gallons of rocket fuel; 1 lifetime.
I walked with him by the river, at night.
"I'm so close," he would say and stretch his hand
to the sky.
In front of us, along the river, a boy stretched
out his hand to the girl next to him. They're eyes
looking down at the river, at the reflection
of the moon.
When I read through this version to Mia, she agreed that something was missing but couldn't put her finger on where. What I saw as I was writing and tweaking was that I needed something at the end of the 4th stanza to tie William Tell's connection to the moon into the connection between the young couple. With some help from Mia, this is what I came up with.
William Tell was a rocket scientist.
He aimed for the stars.
For the moon.
"One day," he told me, "I will get
to the moon." And he would look
up into the night sky as he walked.
He always walked at night. Watching
the moon, measuring, calculating.
238,900 miles; 4,549 minutes; 500,000
gallons of rocket fuel; 1 lifetime.
I walked with him by the river, at night.
"I'm so close," he would say and stretch out
his hand like he could bring the moon
to him.
In front of us, along the river, a boy stretched
out his hand to the girl next to him. They're eyes
looking down at the water, at the reflection
of the moon.
Now, if you want to look a little deeper into my mind, I'll explain a little more of my thoughts. I don't really write love poems. The kind of stuff that just gushes mushy metaphors and lacks any deeper meaning. But, I like to write poems about love. Something that lets me explore the condition of love in a way that is meaningful to me.In this case, I'm exploring the pursuit of achievement that the protagonist (William Tell) is seeking by his quest for the moon. In that pursuit, we see that he's lost sight of everything else in the world, and developed an unrequited infatuation with the moon.
In contrast, the young couple walking along the river not only have each other but through their connection, they are able to appreciate the moon that is nearer to them in the river's reflection. Their sight is aimed in a different direction and yet it brings them closer (metaphorically) to the goal that William Tell is pursuing (but since the moon itself is a symbol the metaphor works).
Anyway, that's what I was trying to put into the piece, I hope that's what you got out of it as well.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Monday, October 06, 2008
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Friday, October 03, 2008
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