If I have one more customer walk in and try to tell me how hot it is outside . . . . I think I might lose it. :-) It's G-E-O-R-G-I-A people, AND we're coming into August in a couple of days. That's why I'm hiding in a well air-conditioned store. At any rate, like the weather always does around here, it's changing over the next couple of days.

anyway . . . I had a nice little emotional/stress meltdown last night. Too much heat, finals next week, odd schedule . . . made for good discussion with fellow Fabrics major before class this morning though. Mom, brothers, even the vending machine were all very nice to me today . . . hmmm. :)

(more thoughtful posts to come after finals work is done . . . )

from dating to something else (& back again)

"Maybe next time I’ll think twice before picking up a book on dating. Not all advice is worth having." - Mandy Langston

The author wrote this piece in response to a book she noticed written by a Christian female artist. In short, the book's author had some logical advice, but discouraged dating anyone from a "broken home" background. Another example of safe politics in the Christian pseudo-life sphere. The thing is, even the ones from the "ideal" family situation are just as flawed, only in a different way. The flaw might even be overprotection - oblivion to how painful life can really be. But, it seems that some of the most beautiful, fascinating people and objects are the ones who come from imperfect origins, full of problems. It's like that story of the violin made from a wind-scarred mountain tree. The craftsman came across this tree way up on a mountainside. It was bent, twisted, and gnarled. Because of the torture and opposition, the wood had a unique strength. The craftsman cut the tree and made a violin from it. The sound from it was incredible. That's the gist of it anyway. The point is, perfection is an ideal. When I think about my friends, I think they're wonderful. They're all flawed, just as I am, and that's why we're crazy about each other. We get under each other's skin, we know what makes each other happy, and we've been there even when it was really inconvenient.

If you ever wondered how a surface of stone or metal comes to a high polish, it's because that surface has had layer after layer if scratches put into it. Abrasion - that's how it happens.

So maybe I got a little off-track there. If I were looking to date (I'm not at the moment), it would be someone who would fit in with my friends and family. Which, after this weekend at my grandparent's, means a southern democratic (or moderate) Arts-aware fellow who enjoys sports, debates, banter/sarcasm, and wine, beer or liquor in European moderation. That's just my dad's side. And since I have a say in something, being a Christian and guitar skills are prerequisites. Seriously . . . just ask any of my best friends.

Yikes . . .

vision

There was a valley, a plain of battle dry and sparsely scattered with dried remnants of brush. Also scattered were soldiers. They stood far enough apart that would have to shout for another to have heard him.

Then I saw the wave.

A blanket of white-grey rolling across the valley from the mountains behind. As it drew closer I saw it was made of horses, each galloping flank to flank, and each white. The horses raced through the soldiers as if they were not there. But instead of being trampled, the men were swept onto the backs of the horses and carried with them. Still, the men seemed few, only a handful. It was later that I saw that the back of the horses were full of yet another army, this one luminous and focused. It was as though they were to begin a simple task, which they knew they would have no trouble completing.

hmmmm . . .

This could be interesting. So Al Gore (or Algore, as my father likes to say) is launching a new TV channel. That's no so interesting. What IS however, is that he's claiming that the channel won't be partisan. This is from a former vice-president. *excuse me while I laugh for a moment* I know, he's claiming to be a recovering politician. Is that to mean that politics is some sort of disease or ailment, dear? If so, then my entire extended family (father’s side) needs hospitalization . . . STAT! But really, how can it be non-partisan? Have you ever, in your life, met anyone who isn't biased to something?

What might be just as interesting is how much attention the rest of media gives this. Without some good old partisan, biased reporting banter the media would probably be either at a total loss for what to say (or do), or just extraordinarily dull. Well then, Ok boys, let the circus begin! But first a few words . . .

"I think the reality of the network will speak for itself. It's not intended to be partisan in any way," said Gore.

Uh-huh . . . riiigghhht. We'll see. We'll at least let you give it a shot.

So sometimes I think about the couple of years when I lived in Nashville, and think "that was so much fun. Why don't I want to move back." And then I run across a reminder of the things that I don't miss, like this excerpt from the blog of a couple of friends who are still there . . .

We're all full up here
or
Dear God, It's me Tia

I sometimes make the most inane requests of God. I wonder if he sits in heaven and gently LAUGHS at his child and all of her foolishness.

The most recent request went something like this:
God, I really don't need anymore guy friends. I'm pretty much all full up here. Yes, Tag and I had our moment but now we are permanently placed in the friend zone. I'm not complaining, really I'm not. I like it that way. But I'm going to need for him to the be the last of the guy friends. It's too hard to have them around. They're so cute and cuddly and smell nice and did I mention cute? You know how I feel about the XY individuals. And you know how much I want one of my very own (preferably the British model circa 1976 or so) But frankly, I don't need anymore of them around. So if you would please, make me invisible. Make them unaware of who I am. Let them look through me, until a later time..heretowith...or whatever.

I'm glad I'm not God because my response to me would be: RAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!

I think God knows that I'm going to be in situations that require me to meet newer and more fascinating boys. Each one shinier and more glitterier (is that a word?) than the last. And he knows that I will once again be forced to not only lay down my will before him (him being God) but I will also be forced to take a good, long, hard look at who I am, what I like, what I'm capable of and what steps I need to take to keep myself from running amuck in the emotions department.

Enter Tag #2 or T2 for short
T2 is a cute little musician that I had the pleasure of getting acquainted with last night at the annual 4th of July party at Lew's. He is quite the musician (plays guitar like no ones business) and overall has a great heart. And did I mention that he is not old enough to drink yet? (Aside: What the heck is going on? Although there is no kind of anything b/w me and T2, he falls into the "where are they all coming from?" category. I am thoroughly convinced that there is a factory somewhere, maybe in Idaho, that is cranking out under 23 boys to run amuck through the streets of Nashville. And apparently at the end of the assembly line there is a picture of Toya and I with the tag line, "These women will be your sponsors. Find them, befriend them. They will feed you, love you and play in your hair." But seriously, all 3 of the Tags, Ross and Ben Convington (see the archives from last fall. November, I think) are all 23 or younger. ) Anyway, after spending yesterday evening, the early part of the morning and part of today with T2 it dawned on me that I have yet another guy friend. Immediately, I begin to whine.

GOOOOOOOODDDDDDDDDDD, why do I keep meeting these great guys that I can't have/don't want/don't need?

The simple answer was: Because....PROFOUND, huh?

It is delusional on my part to think that I won't meet anymore guys EVER until The Guy comes along. (who incidentally will be the ultimate Guy Friend and with privileges no less) To think that is to imply that every guy from here out is The Guy. And that my friend is DAN-GER-OUS. It's setting myself up for heartache, ruined friendships and awkward future run-ins.

But I can't lie. Sometimes this mess it hard. Like when one of them calls you to tell you that he misses you and can't wait to get back to see you. Or when one of them is "nice" enough to tell you that the accidental touch of your skin was "amazingly soft." Or when you reach over to open the lock after he's let you in the car and looks at your and smiles that smile that you love. It is in those moments that the battle begins. A fight to keep your thoughts, heart and emotions intact. A struggle to continue to honor him and yourself in every way, even down to the miniscule passing thought. MAN it's hard. And I am only human. And a female version at that. It is only by God's grace that I am able to remotely maintain pure thoughts and a pure life when one of them begins to do whatever it is that he is so good at doing that made me love him in the first place.

So God, if you're reading, seriously, I'm full up here. No more please. No mas. Or if you must, give me the strength to love them as I should so that I can face myself and love ME in the morning

Not that it's entirely different here mind you, seeing as Athens is a college town. It's just different. And I think she's right - there must be a factory somewhere, because they all have the same five (or so) hairstyles.

things that make me happy . . .

Or rather, "things that made me happy today."

First, Mutts. It's just so clever in a really sweet way. We have an Earl (Blaze), and I have my own little Mooch (Bella). Thank you, Mr. Patrick McDonnell, thank you so very much!

Second, my best friend talked me into going to see Unveiled Faces tonight. The music was great, and I'm so glad I went.

Third, I have the theme figured out for the exit show . . . FINALLY. It was almost settled, but not quite. Now I have soooo many new ideas to go play with. Wheeeeeeeee! :)

Fourth . . . well, this was technically last night I guess, but I have a new theme song. "Brave" by Nichole Nordeman. If one were to take a snapshot of where I'm at right now, that's the theme song that fits at the moment.

Fifth, I found some great new patterns. Still working on that Peacock-blue flake cotton though, but now I have some ides for the pieces using the alpacca & silk blend yarns.

Oh yeah, and Suzanna and I decided to make Copper Creek our regular hangout on the weekends. Life is fun.

life is good, so should I be concerned?

Should I be cautiously attentive? The good news is that I'm really happy with my job, school is nearing its end, and I have a growing circle of friends, and I'm generally just happy. In regards to friends, not just acquaintances, but friends who I can turn to, friends I can head downtown with after work or class, and people who have known me since high school. The thing that concerns me is getting too comfortable. Not that I should I guess, because when it was time to move up to Nashville I was rarin to go. And when I got the job offer to move back here, I moved in two days (after hanging up the phone). So I should just enjoy this, right? They say if you come back, then you stay for good. Let's hope not.

feast or famine . . .

. . . and when it rains it POURS. (at least while there is a hurricane nearby)

now, back to the feast or famine bit. Ok, so I posted that blog the other night where I mentioned that I just have to not date for a while. Not for any angry or hurt reason, but simply because I want to be a good student (who also kicks the other's asses) and spend my limited free time with my friends. So, (of course) up pops the heads of the guys all (ok, imagine this with Joey's vocal inflections) "how you doin'?" It's freakin hilarious. Not exasperating, or annoying really, just pretty damn funny. Hey, I didn't say anything about not flirting . . . got to stay in practice.

And speaking of practice, I think I need a guitar teacher/coach. It's not that it's hard to learn, I just keep running over to the keyboard to write. I've had this Takamine for what, five years now? Jaime B. played it more than I do.

Ok, going to go check on the garden. Although from the rumblings coming from the clouds it sounds like we might get bombarded again soon. At least the drought has been over! I just hope we don't float away like part of Cobb County did.

yes, it's monday

Ok, really, I'm procrastinating because I have a test to study for. But I also have caffeine ripping through my veins, because it helps the pain reliever that I took for the headache I've had all day. I'm a little fidgety, to say the least. For those of you who haven’t heard, it's a medical fact that caffeine increases the potency of pain relievers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen. I'll add in a link later if I find one of the articles. Anyway . . . yuck. Too much salt (& MSG?) plus crazy weather equals throbbing headache in my world.

Target has the planner that I like, now that their back-to-school section is up (mostly). This comes just in the nick of time, as the one I have only goes through July. (It's one of those student deals.) That dollar section is great, and obviously strategically placed. Who am I kidding though? I'd have found it regardless. Yes, I am a Target addict.

Ran into a couple of guys I went to high school with on my way out of Target. Anyway, turns out his brother is moving back here soon. Is there a bizarre magnet hidden somewhere around here? People are getting sucked back left and right it seems.

Ok, the ibuprofen is kicking in . . . time to go study . . .

this would fall under public diary?

I remember the first time I started to fall in love with someone. Now, I won't say that I was actually in love, because it was never really mutual, and we never dated or even kissed. He was attracted to me, and I liked him, but that was about as far as it got. One of my girlfriends saw it though. "You're falling in love." And then another told me that he wasn't good enough. It was at a stop on the move up to Nashville, and I was furious. But she was right, and I got over it. I wonder sometimes if he's still trying to get a music career going.

I'm not ever sure why I'm writing this, but it feels like I need to.

I was so angry with my ex-boyfriend. The way he ended things was just so cowardly, and sudden. Now, however, I'm not angry. His best friend stopped by the other day to see me (we were friends before Mike), and apparently Mike never told him any of what happened. Any time Mike's friends would ask him about me he'd just say, "I don't know." It's so strange. And honestly, I'm glad it's over. Spending that much time with someone you're just not crazy about isn't worth it. Hey . . . you live, you learn.

And speaking of learning, I can't, CAN'T afford a serious relationship right now. Even though I love men, love kissing, love dating, I have got to focus on this show. Distractions in the way of flirts are lovely, but someone calling me wanting to take me out every other night is too much. Way too much. One of the girlfriends suggested an out-of-towner, but then how do you get to know him? I used to be able to talk on the phone for hours, but now that just drives me a little crazy. I guess I'm visual like that, go figure. Or it's just in the back of my mind that I'd rather be talking face to face, or side by side, or whatever. I wish all the girls were in the same city, although I don't think anywhere could handle it. We'd have the best bodies in town though - abs from all the laughing (yes, I've laughed so hard with them before that we were sore for DAYS), and the rest from all of the dancing and club trekking we end up doing together. After-parties, after-the-after-party house parties, and crawling into bed after sunrise. I miss that it was time with the girls though. We had such as blast being single, and our guy friends took such good care of us.

Best wishes with the relationships sweethearts . . .

Mer

great news

Despite what happened in London, the G8 meeting in Scotland ended with some great results. It's definitly a good start, and the activists are happy so far. Let's hope that everyone follows through. Keep up the good work people!

OK, and this has nothing to do with G8 or aid to Africa, but it's hilarious . . . Etch-A-Sketch cell phones. Um, okaaayyy. One of the selling points is that now you can save the precious drawings digitally. What, did they run out of games? You don't have to shake the thing, but to get a new screen, it will shake itself. ROFL . . . ok, not really, but I still think it's funny.

Dean's List

I made Dean's List for Spring Semester!!!!!!! There had been talk of changing requirements, as in the minimum required hours being upped to 15 instead of 12, so I wasn't sure that I'd make the list. I've done the 15 all-studio hours before, and that's NOT happening again. Anyway, good reason to go out this weekend and celebrate. :)

Tragedy in London

I'll never EVER forget seeing them play our national anthem outside of the palace after 9/11. Pray for those who have been affected by this latest act of cowardice.

a summary of the links

Blame it on Art school critiques if you will, but I believe that it's important to know why you like something, or why you don't. Example: "Why do you not like that piece?" Because the color selection is too jarring for the idea trying to be conveyed, and the perspective is sloppy. "Why do you like that band?" Because they really crafted their songs, and the lead guitarist is an amazing musician. "Why do you hate that room?" I don't, but the over the top decor would drive me nuts. And so on, etc. etc. So with that in mind, here is why I've listed the various links that I have on this blog.

Google News - Well, they were on the template, but I noticed that they pull from various sources. I like that.

Fox, CNN, & MSNBC - I was privy to a question asked of a professor one day on campus, "what's the best source for news?" His response was "All of them. Get both sides of the story."

The ONE campaign - I wrote an entry on this one.

Relevant - Of all of the Christian culture sources that I'm aware of currently, this is the one I like the most. It has a lot of good observations on things, and most of the opinions I agree with.

World Vision International - I like what they do, and one of my best friends works for them.

The blogs - The writers/owners are friends of mine.

Elizabeth Barton - She is an amazing woman and artist. I've met her personally, and really enjoyed hearing what she had to say about her design process.

Peter Loose - Another local artist. Pete was a guest artist at this Young Artists Conference we had through my high school, and it was a great weekend. Pete also happens to be one of those (few) artist who you can have a real conversation with, without all of the B.S.

Jacob Wenzka - Gifted painter and cool friend.

Burlap to Cashmere - First, let me say that the original band, original lineup was my favorite, and that is what I will always remember as Burlap to Cashmere. It was my favorite band ever. Steve is a great friend (Johnny is just crazy), and he will always be one of my favorite songwriters. Actually, he's part of the reason I started writing songs in the first place.

Third Day - One of my top five favorite bands and inspiration for one of my favorite (personal) quotes - "There's somethin' 'bout a southern boy singin'." Atlanta boys playin southern rock . . . it just makes me happy.

Phil Keaggy - Referred to (by Eric Clapton) as the greatest living guitar player, this is an amazing musician.

Boulevard - Benji is probably the skinniest guy I've EVER met, but they're really good and they put on a great show.

Coldplay - They're not U2, but I like every album I've heard.

Jet by Day - Another great band. So good live.

W3 Schools - Everything for your "web monkey" needs. Thanks for the link, Andy!

Digs Magazine - This site is just fun, and they have a fantastic movie review database. The discussion boards are great for lurking and finding how-tos.

You Grow Girl - Tons of great stuff on gardening, from normal people with jobs and day-to-day catastrophes and such.

Get Crafty - EVERYTHING for the obsessive or occasional crafter.

Flagpole - How do you figure out who or what is playing in Athens? You grab a Flagpole or check out their site. Also, with the addition of "Grub Notes" you can get the low-down on what's old, new, about to open, or about to close in the world of Athens food.

(fragment)

There was a passing of sorts, a time between here and there. She closed her eyes and remembered the smell of the place. Old tobacco and traces of beer and liquor from the night before were its perfume now. An echo from the ancient creaking stairs almost filled the deserted space. The bartender at the far end was young, maybe even just-hired. It was still too early for any of the new regulars, and the old ones were caught up in the lull of the late afternoon. That quiet before the night began, the shifting light that cast a restless calm on the street. One had to feel it to really understand. It was as if the town knew what was about to happen, but didn't want to move just yet.

They had gone, the characters of the old stories. Her writers had all left to ply their luck in sleepy towns or insomniactic cities. She smiled to herself as she remembered a favorite. Another guitar player of course, only she hadn’t known it until he was long gone. “I wonder if those shoes ever finished falling apart," she thought to herself. He was a brilliant eccentric. They'd walked the entire town one night, talking about love, life, and this strange little town. Cradles and catapults. That's what he had said about it. And then days later he was gone. Not that he was ever really hers in the first place, there was always someone else.

“Want anything?”
“A beer, something good.”
"What kind?"
"Your best."

The new bartender pulled a glass from behind the counter and walked over to the taps. She looked out the open door as he set the glass down in front of her.

“Thanks,” she said as she drank the first of the draught, “this used to be a coffee shop.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“Must’ve been a long time ago”
She looked out towards the street again, and then answered. “Feels like it, or just something I dreamt about once.”

everyday humor

I work at this bead and jewelry store called "Margo Sterling Silver." For your reading pleasure, here is a list of questions we have been asked (sometimes more than once) that is posted in the back room . . .

Extremely Original Questions
(Intelligent as well, or
just plain irritating!)

1. Do you sell any gold?
2. Do you make all (ALL, what the hell??) the jewelry yourself?
3. Are you Margo?
4. (RE: beads) Are these key chains?
5. Does the dollar bill come with the money clip?
6. Do you have a gold "ankle bracelet" I can attach charms to? It's for a wedding.
7. Are these beads granite?
8. Do you sell chains. (They ask this right in front of the WALL full of chains.)
9. (RE: beads) How do these work?
10. (RE: beads) What are these for?
11. Do you have any non-Christian crosses?
12. Do ya'll have any grills like for your teeth? (this was a phone call from a very white, very redneck male.)
13. Is the jewelry in the window for sale?
14. I'm looking for a guru to instruct me in the art of healing stones. Who can you recommend? (dude, we sell BEADS!)
15. Is this silver?
16. Do you want some "X"? (I swear to GOD!)

-Compiled by the staff of Margo Sterling Silver