A Single Layer

You know how when you buy a new car you suddenly see that make and model everywhere you go? So I've been reading this book... and first I come across an article between two of my favorite theologians debating it (one being the author), and next I know, Colbert is interviewing him on the Report . No frickin' way.

I've been reading N. T. Wright's book _Surprised by Hope_ (blogger suddenly fails to give me the option of italics. why?!). You will find me quoting it, refering to it, summarizing it, and/or inspired by it for the next week or so. It began slowly for me, mostly because he thought it necessary to establish some foundational ideas that felt 'old hat' to me. Shame on me for finding anything relating to the resurrection to be 'old hat'! Shame on me for using a colloquialism so awkwardly! Anyway, it has been an educational reminder that the kingdom of God is neither a bizarre notion of Christian fantasy nor a spiritual metaphor for vague internal renewal - but rather, a flesh and blood transformation that begins with our redemption in Christ and ends in a strange, but very real union of heaven and earth, transformed by his glory. Here's one of my favorite excerpts from the book, which I recommend to all: 'It looks as though God intends to flood the universe ...

I added a few links to my list on the right. They're just a few of the blogs I check regularly, mostly friends and family. Be sure to check out the one with the funny name - I couldn't get the umlaut to work, so it's technically spelled wrong... (and I do admit, I had to look up 'umlaut' just now to spell that correctly). Anyway, please enjoy my faves. My most faithful readers will find that they are really just their own blogs right back at them - so now my readers get to read each other! Maybe I'm not the only one excited?

I woke up with a scratchy throat yesterday, and this morning was considerably worse. I questioned whether to properly wake up at all, but eventually you just can't help it. So here is my plan for today, as it was yesterday. Before or after a few hours of obligatory online job-hunting (job-hunting in person would be counter-productive in this state of health), I curl up on the couch in front of the picture window stretching out to the sea, take a cup of tea or water in hand, and page slowly and carelessly through Elizabeth Gaskell's Wives and Daughters . I have included a photo from Masterpiece Theatre's 2003 adaptation of the novel. It is one of my favourites, and not, incidentally, because of the inevitable romance. No, I am far more intrigued by the family dynamics (not to mention Molly Gibson's phenomenal hair). It is fascinating to see how behaviours which, on the surface, would seem to destroy relationships, ultimately serve to strengthen them. This is something i...

Sometimes you simply can't help offending people. It is clumsiness, of course, not wickedness. When wickedness offends, there is a need for apology, repentance, sanctification. When clumsiness offends, what is there to do? Who is there to blame? Nothing. No one. For example, let us say you do not have a car. So you walk to church or class or your job interview on this unnaturally hot day, (you cannot help the weather) and you stink. There is nothing for it. You have offended without doing anything wrong. And there is nothing you can do. And you are not to blame - despite all the looks of surprised disgust you receive as you pass by. Or, let us say you do have a car, but something happens to your headlights. You end up on Orangethorpe, just off the 57, calling your father and fiddling with every knob and nozzle you can find from the doorknob to the glove compartment, but alas! the lights will not glow. In fact, the only light for the darkness seems to be the harsh glare of your bri...

Soon to be on the road, headed to Colorado, I don't know that this post will be more than a brief shout-out in the midst of silence. I have had the content of this post planned since last Sunday morning when I sat and listened to the sermon by Pastor Lou Houesmann at Grace Brethren in Long Beach. Settle back with some hot coffee and click here for the mp3. And happy birthday to my dearling sister, Amanda.

there will be few updates here in these next few weeks, as i am in the midst of a life-transit. that is, i am not technically going anywhere at the moment, but will be soon, and so am living out of my car. check out that comma splice! things should be relatively stable by mid-june, though i will be in long beach as a resident. i'm not sure how stable long beach residents are. or if there will be anything worth blogging about so near the highly-trafficked shore. we shall see.

Curiosity keeps the cat alive. So also am I made new by your minutest miracle. Not a new human, just a new woman. Whereupon I become the redemptress, No seductress, But a totem pole of your mysteries. Though I hope to be laid out In a single layer, You will sort me patiently If I wait and make myself pliable With frequent stretching. Asking questions Not fearing tears, But poring and pouring Into your eyes and your ears.

I was having a bad day. And then my sister's facebook profile reminded me to browse through some LOLcats. I will sleep with joy and laughter in my heart. This is for all of you who suffered through Dracula with me last year. The book, of course, but even more sufferingly, the movie. And if you are curious about LOLcats' Titanic interpretation, browse the site yourself . More joy in abundance.

Found this on a new site Ayjay introduced me to today. And yes, there are two links in that sentence. [Image: The unforgettable final glimpse of a U.S. government warehouse from Raiders of the Lost Ark ]. The article linked to above begins with this photo and goes on to talk about a warehouse being built in the UK to house unwanted books. The rest of the photos are even more fascinating - being actual buildings - as is the article. Give it a shot.

It occurs to me that the last several posts have been links or videos - and that some of you might actually be wondering what's going on with me as a person and not as an internet surfer. Just a quick update, then, my house is almost completely gutted of furniture as my parents are making the last few steps toward becoming real true residents of Long Beach. This means that I must follow them rather soon, because there's a limit to how long I can live in a large house with only four articles of furniture. (There might be more than that, but spread out over so many rooms, it seems inconsequential.) I know that there is much to do this afternoon to aid my parents in this endeavour, but I am pretty sure that I won't be doing any of it. I'll be running off to the movies, or to friends' houses, or to Starbucks - to drink away my sorrow.

Another from my favourite.

It's been a while since I added anything from Wooster Collective . Here's a photo from April 26th, taken in Columbus, OH. You may have to visit the sight to get a closer look:

I know, I know... we just couldn't get enough. :)

My mum took me to Open Call at the McCallum Theatre this afternoon. A celebratory event! My favourite was the yo-yo king, Gerard Amento. Here's a clip from his performance last year. Hopefully youtube will come up with today's performace sometime in the next week. (The McCallum demographic isn't generally a youtube-type crowd.)

see more crazy cat pics

Fascinating .

My mother and I celebrate our birthdays this weekend. Mine was Friday, hers is Monday. Where to eat? What to do? I dropped movies off at the library while she packed up the garage. Not a thrilling way to celebrate, but necessary. I think it's time I remember what it means to celebrate life at all. Renew in my mind the awareness required to really honour one's own birth. Remember that this moment is precious. Thoroughly delight in whatever company finds its way to you today. Listen to their conversation. Don't just hear; don't try to converse. Ask questions rather than offer solutions, and listen . Laugh at many things, but not everything. Do not laugh at the loss of anyone's dignity; prize and protect it. Stand up for the one whom general opinion shuns - unless it is not opinion, but right judgment. Listen to music with both ears, with the brain, with the mouth slightly open, and with the eyes half-closed. But be willing to turn the music off when people arrive. Or...

Okay:

The question of the hour: Should I get all my hair chopped off? Again? The idea was to let it grow out, but I was just browsing through some photos of celebrities with fabulous short hair, and I am unconvinced that this growing business is the thing for me just yet. It does seem a shame to waste all the effort gone through so far. For those of you who have NOT seen my hair lately... you are lucky. Blessed. Shined upon. And all this ugliness for nothing? Perhaps.... update: Gone. All of it. I have no stamina for bad hair. Photos to come? Probably not. Arrange a visit.