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April 28, 2007
free my mind
After two weeks packed full with work, assignments, papers, and comprehensive exams, my mind is finally at rest. I still have a project and a final to do, but right now my mind is freer than it's been in a while. It's amazing how that feels. Sort of like a freshly-puffed pillow or a shiny new pair of shoes. Like the ones I bought while shopping with Laura and cousin Jane last week.
The weather hasn't been helping my attitude much. Except for a brief stint of sunshine and warmth, it's been mostly cold and rainy. Laura was right when she said that April is the worst month here, worse than January even. We even had to turn the heat back on after having it off for a little while.
I had to write a speech for President Bush this past week. Let me tell you, it was one of the hardest things I've ever done. The assignment led to much discussion in our class in what makes Bush a bad speaker. The professor had to repeatedly remind us: "Do not use metaphor! Bush never uses metaphor in his speeches." We also had to steer away from being too eloquent.
I'll leave you with this dead-on column by Elliot Kalan. Baseball has a way of making us feel better about the world.
Posted by heiders at 06:46 PM | Comments (2)
April 13, 2007
Under the Bleachers
Every day on my way to work I navigate my way under the long green bleachers that workers are setting up on Boylston Street. The number of bleachers increases each day. And I can't help but think, how sad that all this time and money is being spent on these bleachers (not to mention platforms for the media, et al) when the forecast for Marathon Monday is this:
"Monday...Rain. Rain May be heavy at times in the morning. Brisk with highs in the lower 40s. Chance of rain 80 percent."
I've also heard that winds could be in the 40-60 mph range. As one of my classmates who is running in the marathon said, "I can handle the cold, I can handle the rain, but running against 60 mph headwinds for 26 miles?" Then he grimaced.
You will not be seeing me at any point along the marathon route on Monday, including the green bleachers at the finish line. I will be at home working on papers and drinking hot chocolate. But I'm sure plenty of suckers will come out and fill the seats anyways, sopping wet as they may be. Perhaps it's not such a waste.
Posted by heiders at 04:20 PM | Comments (2)
April 05, 2007
i stole this off of funke's blog
I've never done anything like this before, so I thought I'd give it a shot:
1. What time did you get up this morning? 7:30 am
2. Diamonds or pearls? Pearls
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Amazing Grace (I saw this with funke!)
4. What is your favorite TV show? Seinfeld for live action, Simpsons for animated
5. What did you have for breakfast this morning? cereal
6. What is your middle name? Jean, after my grandmother
7. What is your favorite food? The sweet potato/butternut squash category
8. What foods do you dislike? Mangoes, sadly
9. Favorite chips? Tortilla chips with salsa
10. What is your favorite CD at the moment? Arcade Fire "Neon Bible"
11. What kind of car do you drive? Public transportation
12. What is your favorite sandwich? real turkey with goat cheese and avocado
13. What characteristics do you despise? Micro-managing, second-guessing, and long-windedness
14. What are your favorite clothes? My black shirt that goes with everything
15. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would it
be? probably Thailand
16. Favorite brand of clothing? Anything at Marshall's
17. Where would you want to retire? I'm not planning to retire, but if I do I want to be around siblings and cousins
18. Favorite time of day? Bedtime
19. Where were you born? Cedar Rapids, IA
20. What is your favorite sport to watch? Baseball, although basketball is a close second
21. Who do you think will not send this back? I am not sending it to any one.
22. Person you expect to send it back first? I am not sending it to any one.
23. Pepsi or Coke? Coke
24. Beavers or ducks? Ducks are cute
25. Are you a morning person or night person? I am a sleepy person, so neither
26. Pedicure or manicure? Pedicure
27. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? Going to London this summer!
28. What did you want to be when you were little? A teacher or a writer (ha)
29. What is your best childhood memory? When my parents would go out, my siblings and I would put on the Mickey Mouse record and dance in the living room. We would turn out all the lights, one person would stand with a flashlight in the middle of the room on a stool, and the rest of us would dance in a circle around it. Or sometimes we would go play kick the can with the neighbors. (But most of the time when my parents would go out, I would cry because I dreaded the torture that would surely come from my older brothers in their absence.)
30. Piercing(s)? ears
31. Ever been to Africa? Yes, to Benin on Mercy Ships
32. Ever been toilet papering? Nope
33. Been in a car accident? Yes, several. One time when we were very little and driving through Iowa, we went off the road. Another time I drove into another car on a curve because of black ice. The most recent time I pulled out onto St. Elmo Ave when a car was coming and my driver's side door got bashed in. Fortunately, nobody was hurt in any of these incidents.
34. Favorite day of the week? Sunday
35. Favorite restaurant? Hm. Right now it's the Shanti Indian Restaurant down the road. I also like St. John's in Chattanooga, but can't afford to eat there.
36. Favorite flower? Hydrangeas
37. Favorite ice cream? Right now, Americone Dream. Generally I like pecan praline.
38. Favorite fast food restaurant? Subway, I guess. I hardly ever eat fast food.
39. How many times did you fail your drivers test? For some reason I can't remember, but I think none.
40. From whom did you get your last email? Ben Kaufmann
41. In which stores would you choose to max out your credit card? Grocery store
42. Bedtime? 10:30 or 11 (I told you I like to sleep)
43. Who are you most curious about their responses to this? Nobody
44. Last person you went to dinner with? Laura, high school friend Elizabeth, and her friend Katie
45. What are you listening to right now? 95.3, Boston's classical/jazz station
46. What is your favorite color? Sage green
Posted by heiders at 07:28 PM | Comments (2)
April 04, 2007
April showers bring May flowers
April snow brings...I don't know. Hey, that works.
Yes, it snowed today. Yes, I am tired of hearing about my relatives in warm, sunny places like Chattanooga, Slovakia, France, and DC. Yes, I chose to live in Boston. Yes, I was warned about Aprils here. Moving on.
Baseball season is here. Every opening day I'm reminded of when Uncle Jim pointed out the verse in "Our God Our Help in Ages Past" that says: "They fly forgotten as a dream dies at the op'ning day." Hopefully this is not prophetic for the Cards this season. I don't want any dreams dyin'.
I have to write a commencement speech in the style of how the President of the US would write a commencement speech. Not sure how to start it, but I know how I'll end it: "God bless you all, and God bless America." (BTW, this speech is not Bush-specific. Perhaps I should try to imitate Reagan? Or better yet, JFK?)
Lastly, read this debate between Rick Warren and Sam Harris about the existence of God. The most interesting line from Harris is this one: "How is it fair [for God] to have created a system where belief is the crucial piece, rather than being a good person?" An interesting question indeed, and during this Holy Week I am glad that I don't have to find favor with God through my own goodness.
Posted by heiders at 07:45 PM | Comments (1)