We went to Christmas Eve services at my mom's church tonight. Like many of the services there, it was somewhat a circus. It kind of bothers me sometimes, but as my mom says, "That's just the way Emanuel is." It pushes me out of my comfort zone, and I'm not sure how I feel about that just yet ( Read more... )

I just had tea out of the first mug I ever made. (In the process, I managed to set the stove on fire - there was something flammable under one of the burners, so flames started coming from under the tea kettle. It was exciting. But nobody got hurt, so it was fine). It's a really good feeling to know that I made that mug and there's none like it ( Read more... )

Going to the dentist today reminded me of some things that have been concerning me lately; namely, the way I feel about drugs (I'm including alcohol, caffiene, and OTC drugs used in ways other than their labeling in that category). I'm not worried about my current usage; by most standards I barely use drugs at all ( Read more... )

I went down to say goodbye to the lake today. It's one of the places in my life that are in some way sacred. By that I mean, it's a place I go to reconnect with what I feel is most real in the world. Some of you probably think of that as connecting with God. I don't know that that's the word I'd use, but I feel comfortable calling those places ( Read more... )

My family is in the process of moving. This, combined with the fact that both of my parents work very demanding jobs, means that many of our Christmas traditions, and in fact most of what I at one point considered normal home life here, have simply not happened. This distresses my mom; I think she feels like she's not doing a good enough job as a ( Read more... )

Can somebody please explain to me what exactly "love" is? I want a definition that encompasses all of the various ways we use the word. Good luck with that ( Read more... )

I'm tired of hearing officials speak on behalf of "the Iraqi People". Most recently on BBC news a guy (I think the person in charge of elections? I'm not sure, I missed the name) said in response to recent attacks that "the Iraqi people knew that they would pay a high price for there freedom." I'll not address the issue of what exactly constitutes ( Read more... )

Do you guys really want me to post more often? I can't help but get the sense that a lot of you have a wrong (or maybe just incomplete) impression of me. Wouldn't want to spoil that for anyone. But if I'm going to post, I'm not going to cater to what anyone wants. I'm me, plain and simple. If you don't think you could deal with that, feel free to ( Read more... )

I know everyone has something that they have always wanted to tell someone but never have. If you have ever wanted to tell me something that you couldn't, tell me and then repost this in your journal. Screen your comments so if there is anyone that wants to say something to you they can do it without fear of anyone else knowing ( Read more... )

Vote, damnit! Anyone who doesn't vote this year is just stupid.

That is all.