Yesterday on Oprah, she had a one-on-one conversation with Nobel Prize winning Elie Wiesel. Together they toured Auschwitz death camp in Poland, and Wiesel spoke of how he survived. Viewers were able to see the Holocaust through the eyes of a man who lived it.
In speaking about the interview with Elie Wiesel, Oprah said, "Through his eyes, we witness the depths of both human cruelty and human grace—and we're left grappling with what remains of Elie, a teenage boy caught between the two. I gain courage from his courage."
On her website, Oprah had transciption from her conversation with him at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City, and I found the words he came up with at a moment's notice to be filled with profound wisdom and an incredible understanding of the true meaning of life and the grace that can be found in every day.
Oprah: The last page in the magazine, I always do a column called, “What I Know For Sure.” What is it that you know for sure, that you have no doubt about?
Mr. Wiesel: I have no doubt that evil can be fought. I have no doubt that indifference is no option.
I have no doubt that fanaticism is dangerous.
I have no doubt that the life of any person, any person, weighs more than all the books in the world on life. More?
Oprah: Yes, this is good.
Mr. Wiesel: I have no doubt that we are here for a purpose.
I have no doubt that the purpose is not only bringing God closer to his creation, but to bring his creatures close to one another.
I have no doubt that the human being is human simply because he or she is human and we have no right to say that a poor person, because her or she is poor, is less valid to society than the person who is rich.
Oprah: That being born gives you worth.
Mr. Wiesel: Absolutely. I have no doubt that education is good for the soul. Not only for the mind. I have no doubt that faith is only pure when it does not negate the faith of the other. And I have no doubt that questions have their own magic. Their own charm. And their own immortality.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
New York, New York...
So, the concert was awesome. Franz Ferdinand was extremely entertaining to watch and Death Cab for Cutie is incredible live. I have a few friends that are going to see Imogen Heap really soon, and I am so so so jealous. That should be a terrific show.
I made it through my oral exams last week; it was stressful, but now it's over and I am so glad. The only thing I have to wrap up before graduation is last minute thesis editing, which shouldn't take too terribly long. Other than finishing up at HSU I am searching for jobs in the Metroplex. I hope to get out there by mid-Summer.
I apologize for my lack of creativity and the short snippets of boredom I have posted recently. Things have just been insane. Thankfully, I am escaping to New York for a few days later this week/weekend and I will get to see Kim H., Kim J. and Keren. I am excited! When I step off the plane I may make a beeline to Roxy's. I have missed their cheesecake oh so much.
I hope that all of you are doing well. I am sure I will post photos when I return.
I made it through my oral exams last week; it was stressful, but now it's over and I am so glad. The only thing I have to wrap up before graduation is last minute thesis editing, which shouldn't take too terribly long. Other than finishing up at HSU I am searching for jobs in the Metroplex. I hope to get out there by mid-Summer.
I apologize for my lack of creativity and the short snippets of boredom I have posted recently. Things have just been insane. Thankfully, I am escaping to New York for a few days later this week/weekend and I will get to see Kim H., Kim J. and Keren. I am excited! When I step off the plane I may make a beeline to Roxy's. I have missed their cheesecake oh so much.
I hope that all of you are doing well. I am sure I will post photos when I return.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Today is a red-letter day...
because this morning I handed in my completed thesis. I really can't express the utter joy. I think I will celebrate by going to a Death Cab for Cutie/Franz Ferdinand concert tomorrow night. That seems fitting.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
A photo journal...
Let's see...a lot has gone on since my last post. However, since I have been writing like a maniac for school purposes, I haven't felt much like writing anywhere else. I will put up some photos though; those don't take much brain power.
My brother and sister-in-law came to visit.
We all went to the Velvet Hookah.
I took this photo with Grant.
And Ashley made a new best friend.
On Ashley's birthday trip we ate dinner at La Madeleine's.
And had a great time at Pete's Dueling Piano Bar.
Later that night I watched Ashley sing kareoke at Stingrays in Ft. Worth.
While KT and Holly took pictures.
There was poker at a stranger's house. I watched.
And then decided to jump on a trampoline.
I played with my new camera at a Core 47 concert.
And had a great time with my friend, Mike.
I got to talk to my friends Jay and Carrie...awww.
Then I went to KT's and hung out with my new best friend, Phillip.
Dean and I puckered up for the camera.
As did Mike and I.
I witnessed a Miles and Ray concert.
We spent time at the ranch.
Ashley and I smiled for the camera.
Chelsea and I had a staring contest. She won.
So, this is what I have been doing since my last post. Now you're caught up. Hope everyone is well.
I'm out.
My brother and sister-in-law came to visit.
We all went to the Velvet Hookah.
I took this photo with Grant.
And Ashley made a new best friend.
On Ashley's birthday trip we ate dinner at La Madeleine's.
And had a great time at Pete's Dueling Piano Bar.
Later that night I watched Ashley sing kareoke at Stingrays in Ft. Worth.
While KT and Holly took pictures.
There was poker at a stranger's house. I watched.
And then decided to jump on a trampoline.
I played with my new camera at a Core 47 concert.
And had a great time with my friend, Mike.
I got to talk to my friends Jay and Carrie...awww.
Then I went to KT's and hung out with my new best friend, Phillip.
Dean and I puckered up for the camera.
As did Mike and I.
I witnessed a Miles and Ray concert.
We spent time at the ranch.
Ashley and I smiled for the camera.
Chelsea and I had a staring contest. She won.
So, this is what I have been doing since my last post. Now you're caught up. Hope everyone is well.
I'm out.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
I prefer to look at today as a resurgence of trepanation...
instead of what it really was. A few shots in the head.
Today I went to the doctor, and after multiple shots and a handful of gauze later, I began thinking about early medicine.
About 5,000 years ago, this process would have been seen as some sort of release for me. Trepanation...or making holes in the head...was viewed in various contexts. It's main purposes were to relieve pressure on the brain, cure headaches, or even to release evil spirits.
Now, I know my venture to the doctor did not leave me with holes through my skull, as this practice would have. However, when something is taken out of your body, it is interesting to think about the symbolism behind that. Maybe what was taken out were manifestations of negative thoughts. Maybe they were accumulations of stress. Maybe they were regrets that all found the same place to lie. Maybe this is the medicine talking.
But it is interesting to feel yourself free of tangible things that have made your body their home. What has been taken out, I am not sure. I wish they represented things within me I want to rid myself of: selfishness, impatience, negativity. I know believing that is some sort of ancient medicine hogwash, but maybe thinking it will change my overall attitude.
Today I went to the doctor, and after multiple shots and a handful of gauze later, I began thinking about early medicine.
About 5,000 years ago, this process would have been seen as some sort of release for me. Trepanation...or making holes in the head...was viewed in various contexts. It's main purposes were to relieve pressure on the brain, cure headaches, or even to release evil spirits.
Now, I know my venture to the doctor did not leave me with holes through my skull, as this practice would have. However, when something is taken out of your body, it is interesting to think about the symbolism behind that. Maybe what was taken out were manifestations of negative thoughts. Maybe they were accumulations of stress. Maybe they were regrets that all found the same place to lie. Maybe this is the medicine talking.
But it is interesting to feel yourself free of tangible things that have made your body their home. What has been taken out, I am not sure. I wish they represented things within me I want to rid myself of: selfishness, impatience, negativity. I know believing that is some sort of ancient medicine hogwash, but maybe thinking it will change my overall attitude.
Friday, February 17, 2006
A bearded man spitting on me and screaming "oral sex"...
that's all I remember of Ethics.
I was telling this horror story last night over cocktails with friends. I will forever be scarred by that man with hair as red as fire.
I think it's funny how, in looking back at classes that took up entire semesters...or really anything that took up a significant amount of time in life, we latch on to specific moments. Insignificant moments.
I know we must have discussed important issues in Ethics, but when I think "Ethics" I will forever see a large red-headed man, leaning over my desk, pointing at the guy sitting behind me, and heatedly asking whether or not he believed that oral sex is sex. But all I got was, "Is ORAL SEX (a little spittle landing on my desk), sex?! ORAL SEX (spit everywhere)???!!!"
Why me? Why that seat? Why Ethics?
I wonder if that is why I am opposed to any conversation centered around Ethics.
I wonder if that is why I am so unethical.
Damn you you red-headed man. I blame you for my current state.
I was telling this horror story last night over cocktails with friends. I will forever be scarred by that man with hair as red as fire.
I think it's funny how, in looking back at classes that took up entire semesters...or really anything that took up a significant amount of time in life, we latch on to specific moments. Insignificant moments.
I know we must have discussed important issues in Ethics, but when I think "Ethics" I will forever see a large red-headed man, leaning over my desk, pointing at the guy sitting behind me, and heatedly asking whether or not he believed that oral sex is sex. But all I got was, "Is ORAL SEX (a little spittle landing on my desk), sex?! ORAL SEX (spit everywhere)???!!!"
Why me? Why that seat? Why Ethics?
I wonder if that is why I am opposed to any conversation centered around Ethics.
I wonder if that is why I am so unethical.
Damn you you red-headed man. I blame you for my current state.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Craptastic...
I love working with Nicki and laughing at her syntax.
Random thought: If Sylvia were alive, I would stick her head in that stupid oven myself.
Needless to say...I am currently frustrated with my thesis.
Today is Valentine's Day. Today, middle school girls all over the world are going home in tears because they didn't get a singing telegram featuring K-Ci and JoJo's "All My Life" or maybe Bette Midler's "Wind Beneath My Wings". No pink or red or colorful assortment of day old and wilted carnations. No plush bear that plays music or has some sort of lame Valentine's greeting. No box of chocolates. No heart-shaped suckers. No scratch-n-sniff stickers. Probably not even a card. For middle school girls everywhere, Valentine's sucks. (Except for the select few. You know who those select few were because they didn't lose that status until the morning after high school graduation, and some may still hold it today. Eww.) In elementary school it's okay because there are class parties with heart-shaped sugar cookies and red icing. If you are lucky, the teacher assigns bringing Valentine's to the entire class, and in that case you go home with a bag of Star Wars, Strawberry Shortcake, Garfield, Transformers, and Punky Brewster valentines (circa late 80s). This just about makes your year. In high school and college it's okay because you have close friends you can celebrate with if you don't have an actual "valentine". If you are lucky, your friends want to go out for margaritas and maybe kareoke ensues. But today I have decided that, as a group, middle school girls get the short end of the stick. Maybe not even the short end. These girls never stood a chance.
On this day, I am thankful for all the love I have, and I want to give all of the middle school girls in the world an inspirational speech and maybe a big hope-filled bear hug...not to be confused with a plush teddy bear that plays the tune to "My Funny Valentine." Sick.
Random thought: If Sylvia were alive, I would stick her head in that stupid oven myself.
Needless to say...I am currently frustrated with my thesis.
Today is Valentine's Day. Today, middle school girls all over the world are going home in tears because they didn't get a singing telegram featuring K-Ci and JoJo's "All My Life" or maybe Bette Midler's "Wind Beneath My Wings". No pink or red or colorful assortment of day old and wilted carnations. No plush bear that plays music or has some sort of lame Valentine's greeting. No box of chocolates. No heart-shaped suckers. No scratch-n-sniff stickers. Probably not even a card. For middle school girls everywhere, Valentine's sucks. (Except for the select few. You know who those select few were because they didn't lose that status until the morning after high school graduation, and some may still hold it today. Eww.) In elementary school it's okay because there are class parties with heart-shaped sugar cookies and red icing. If you are lucky, the teacher assigns bringing Valentine's to the entire class, and in that case you go home with a bag of Star Wars, Strawberry Shortcake, Garfield, Transformers, and Punky Brewster valentines (circa late 80s). This just about makes your year. In high school and college it's okay because you have close friends you can celebrate with if you don't have an actual "valentine". If you are lucky, your friends want to go out for margaritas and maybe kareoke ensues. But today I have decided that, as a group, middle school girls get the short end of the stick. Maybe not even the short end. These girls never stood a chance.
On this day, I am thankful for all the love I have, and I want to give all of the middle school girls in the world an inspirational speech and maybe a big hope-filled bear hug...not to be confused with a plush teddy bear that plays the tune to "My Funny Valentine." Sick.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
A poet's last thoughts on knowledge and love...
Excepts from a poem titled "Admonitions to a Special Person", written a few months before Anne Sexton took her own life. The poem in it's entirity is fascinating; I read it as a summary of all the advice she wanted to pass on. These are the small portions I wanted to share.
Watch out for intellect,
because it knows so much it knows nothing
and leaves you hanging upside down,
mouthing knowledge as your heart
falls out of your mouth.
Watch out for love
(unless it is true,
and every part of you says yes including the toes),
it will wrap you up like a mummy,
and your scream won't be heard
and none of your running will run.
Love? Be it man. Be it woman.
It must be a wave you want to glide on,
give your body to it, give your laugh to it,
give, when the gravelly sand takes you,
your tears to the land. To love another is something
like prayer and can't be planned, you just fall
into its arms because your belief undoes your disbelief.
Watch out for intellect,
because it knows so much it knows nothing
and leaves you hanging upside down,
mouthing knowledge as your heart
falls out of your mouth.
Watch out for love
(unless it is true,
and every part of you says yes including the toes),
it will wrap you up like a mummy,
and your scream won't be heard
and none of your running will run.
Love? Be it man. Be it woman.
It must be a wave you want to glide on,
give your body to it, give your laugh to it,
give, when the gravelly sand takes you,
your tears to the land. To love another is something
like prayer and can't be planned, you just fall
into its arms because your belief undoes your disbelief.
Sunday, February 05, 2006
It's Super Bowl Sunday...
And I am thinking about all the people out there who are TiVo-ing the game so they can fast forward through all the commericals and watch hours of uninterrupted football.
I am the kind of person that would TiVo the Super Bowl so I could fast forward through the game and watch all of the award-winning commercials.
I realize I am in the minority, but I think my time would be best spent on the latter option.
Hmm....
I am the kind of person that would TiVo the Super Bowl so I could fast forward through the game and watch all of the award-winning commercials.
I realize I am in the minority, but I think my time would be best spent on the latter option.
Hmm....
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Tonight, while giving the Writing Proficiency Exam...
a student named James asked me what I would like to do when I graduate.
I said, "Maybe work for a publishing house...."
He said, "Like the one that gives away a million dollars?!"
Yeah, maybe I will be Ed McMahon's personal assistant, genius.
I said, "Maybe work for a publishing house...."
He said, "Like the one that gives away a million dollars?!"
Yeah, maybe I will be Ed McMahon's personal assistant, genius.
Monday, January 23, 2006
Some photos from the Austin trip...
Ashley and me after Maria's show.
Ashley, me, Maria Bamford (funniest female comedian ever), and Shannon.
Miss Maria Bamford and her groupies, making some crazy faces.
Photo taken at Star Seeds Cafe after staying up all night with Shannon. This is us in a state of ultimate delirium.
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Everyone knows...
Over My Head (Cable Car) -- The Fray
I never knew
I never knew that everything was falling through
That everyone I knew was waiting on a queue
To turn and run when all I needed was the truth
But that's how it's got to be
It's coming down to nothing more than apathy
I'd rather run the other way than stay and see
The smoke and who's still standing when it clears
Everyone knows I'm in
Over my head
With eight seconds left in overtime
She's on your mind
Let's rearrange
I wish you were a stranger I could disengage
Just say that we agree and then never change
Soften a bit until we all just get along
But that's disregard
Find another friend and you discard
As you lose the argument in a cable car
Hanging above as the canyon comes between
Everyone knows I'm in
Over my head
With eight seconds left in overtime
She's on your mind
And suddenly I become a part of your past
I'm becoming the part that don't last
I'm losing you and its effortless
Without a sound we lose sight of the ground
In the throw around
Never thought that you wanted to bring it down
I won't let it go down till we torch it ourselves
Everyone knows I'm in
Over my head
With eight seconds left in overtime
She's on your mind
I never knew
I never knew that everything was falling through
That everyone I knew was waiting on a queue
To turn and run when all I needed was the truth
But that's how it's got to be
It's coming down to nothing more than apathy
I'd rather run the other way than stay and see
The smoke and who's still standing when it clears
Everyone knows I'm in
Over my head
With eight seconds left in overtime
She's on your mind
Let's rearrange
I wish you were a stranger I could disengage
Just say that we agree and then never change
Soften a bit until we all just get along
But that's disregard
Find another friend and you discard
As you lose the argument in a cable car
Hanging above as the canyon comes between
Everyone knows I'm in
Over my head
With eight seconds left in overtime
She's on your mind
And suddenly I become a part of your past
I'm becoming the part that don't last
I'm losing you and its effortless
Without a sound we lose sight of the ground
In the throw around
Never thought that you wanted to bring it down
I won't let it go down till we torch it ourselves
Everyone knows I'm in
Over my head
With eight seconds left in overtime
She's on your mind
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
I'm in my element, baby...
So, my heart found Christmas...it was wonderful.
As was New Year's. My brother and sister-in-law came down from Indiana and stayed for a week. It was good to relax and spend time with the family. I saw a few movies with the women in the family: The Family Stone and Rumor Has It. I enjoyed both of them. I love seeing movies. I should go to the theater more often...there is something magical about it.
Anyway, I am now focusing on my thesis and wrapping up my time here in Abilene, and more specifically, Hardin-Simmons. I am working on and off as a substitute teacher. It's is kind of exciting because you never know where you will be. I realized today that one could write some of the best short stories ever based off the conversations between a group of middle school girls. It is insane what they talk about. I know I am not that far out of middle school...just about a decade...but things really have changed. People are not making it up. Today I worked at Mann Middle School in athletics. We played tennis...badmitton...that's what I did all day. On Thursday I work at Cooper, teaching debate and theatre arts. That's a little more "up my alley". I am kind of excited about it, and it beats sitting around working on something (my thesis) that I am not getting paid for.
Well, nothing is really going on besides the thesis and the occasional subbing. When school begins at HSU I will have more work coming my way, which will be nice. I am more motivated when I am busy. I would like to be working pretty much all the time and having to squeeze my thesis in. I think I would get more work done that way, when I know I only have a set amount of time to work.
I will write again soon...when I have something blog-worthy to talk about.
I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year's, and that you got some quality "family time" in.
As was New Year's. My brother and sister-in-law came down from Indiana and stayed for a week. It was good to relax and spend time with the family. I saw a few movies with the women in the family: The Family Stone and Rumor Has It. I enjoyed both of them. I love seeing movies. I should go to the theater more often...there is something magical about it.
Anyway, I am now focusing on my thesis and wrapping up my time here in Abilene, and more specifically, Hardin-Simmons. I am working on and off as a substitute teacher. It's is kind of exciting because you never know where you will be. I realized today that one could write some of the best short stories ever based off the conversations between a group of middle school girls. It is insane what they talk about. I know I am not that far out of middle school...just about a decade...but things really have changed. People are not making it up. Today I worked at Mann Middle School in athletics. We played tennis...badmitton...that's what I did all day. On Thursday I work at Cooper, teaching debate and theatre arts. That's a little more "up my alley". I am kind of excited about it, and it beats sitting around working on something (my thesis) that I am not getting paid for.
Well, nothing is really going on besides the thesis and the occasional subbing. When school begins at HSU I will have more work coming my way, which will be nice. I am more motivated when I am busy. I would like to be working pretty much all the time and having to squeeze my thesis in. I think I would get more work done that way, when I know I only have a set amount of time to work.
I will write again soon...when I have something blog-worthy to talk about.
I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year's, and that you got some quality "family time" in.
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